Differences between immediate and 30-day deaths due to traffic injuries according to forensic sources

Identifier:  PC:1508

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/PC1508

Authors:  Eneko Barbería; Josep M. Suelves; Alexandre Xifró; Jordi Medallo

Abstract:
Objective: To study immediate (same day of the collision) and delayed (within 30 days of the collision) deaths due to traffic injuries in Catalonia (Spain) according to forensic sources and to assess the differences between the two kinds of deaths. Material and methods: An observational study was conducted of all the traffic accident deaths registered in the Institute of Legal Medicine of Catalonia between January 1st 2005 and December 31st 2014. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS v.18.0 statistical package. Comparisons of proportions were based on the ¿2 test. Results: During the study period, 4044 deaths due to traffic injuries were recorded. Deaths within 30 days included more women, minors, elderly people, and pedestrians than immediate deaths. Conclusions: Traffic injury deaths in the 30 days following a crash differ from immediate deaths.