Abstract
This paper gives an introductory review of issues and presents findings from a prospective study of the medical, psychological and quality of life outcome of road traffic accidents which included a three-year follow-up of those seeking compensation. Since compensation and legal implications can only be understood in the light of knowledge of the common patterns of medical and social consequences of road accidents, and of the effects of physical illness in general, the paper begins with reviews of general medical issues and of the literature on road traffic accident injury.