This paper discusses the psychological consequences of injury in a motor-vehicle crash. Estimates of the lifetime risk of injury in a crash in Victoria and estimates of the likelihood of developing a number of serious psychological consequences after injury in a crash were combined to estimate the average lifetime risk of suffering psychological problems as a result of crash involvement. The results of this analysis suggest that the average lifetime risk of developing a number of serious psychological disorders as a result of a crash are quite high - the risk for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, for example, is around 13 percent (based on current crash statistics). These results are described and then discussed in terms of the potential individual, community, and financial costs associated with these often-ignored consequences of crash involvement. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E202275.
Abstract