An autopsy study of 328 cases of fatal motor cycle accidents

Abstract

Background: In India Fatalities due to Motor Cylce Accidents is not uncommon and remained a major reason of Public Health Issue despite Government Measures. Aim: 1) To study the Pattern,Nature & Distribution of Injuries. 2) To Identify the Fatal Injuries. 3) The Age & Sex Distribution of the Victims. 4) To study the Impact of Helmet Law on preventing Head Injuries. Methodology: This Prospective Study was an Autopsy based Study done during the period 2013 to November 2020 in Bangalore, India. A Total of 328 cases were Studied during this period. The data obtained during Autopsy was Registered in Autopsy Reports and The Autopsy report Data was recorded in a Register and Then analyzed on Yearly Basis. Information also retrieved from Police Records. Only the Motorcycle Rider Fatalities are Studied. The Pillion rider Fatalities are Excluded in the present study. Results: A total of 2368 Autopsy conducted during the period of Study, of which 1169 were Death due to Road Traffic Accidents. Fatal motor Cycle Accidents Accounted for 328 cases,14% of Total Autopsies. Males Contributed to 84% of the Fatalities. Major number of Cases were reported from the age group 21-30years. Head Injuries accounted for 87%[n-285] of Injuries and were the major Fatal injury reported. Crush Injury to The Chest was least Reported. Majority of the Abdominal Injury resulted in Liver Lacerations in 42% of the Cases. Majority of the Injuries to the Extremities reported were Fractures involving the Upper Limbs in 39%[n-128] of the cases. Maximum Fatalities were reported from Motorcyclist without wearing the Helmet in 87.5% [n-287] of the cases despite the Legislation by the government. Conclusion: Head Injuries were the Major Cause of Fatality. Maximum Number of Fatalities reported due to Failure to Wearing Helmets. Males were Five times More Affected than Females. Major Fatalities reported between 21-30years.