Long-term medical disability associated with trauma to the neck is an increasing problem all over the world. In Sweden AIS 1 injury has become the most common injury in traffic accidents causing medical disability. The influence of vehicle weight and car model were evaluated as well as the sex of the occupant. Also the correlation between the disability and the impact direction of the car, were investigated. In the present study real life data from police records of car accidents was used. Also insurance data on occupants who sustained long-term medical disability from an AIS 1 neck injury. The paired comparison method was used. The relative risk of neck injury increases considerably when the weight difference between the struck and the striking car increases. And the risk of injury is considerably higher for females. (Author/publisher).
Abstract