Road traffic accidents and their aftermath: The victims perspective

Road traffic accidents (RTAs) have risen as one of the leading cause of death globally. In India RTAs are ranked 6^th in the list of leading cause of death. They account for 90% disability adjusted life years in the developing countries with resultant multiple legal, medical and economic implications. Emerging as a socioeconomic epidemic they have detrimental socioeconomic impact. RTAs fall under the tort and liability laws whereby an injury or harm is sustained by a person as a direct cause of negligence/action of another, which in turn makes the injurer liable to compensate the injured for the harm caused. State and its various departments like the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Police, National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), Road and highway maintenance contractors, Injurer, Insurance company, a citizen of the state, first responders, health care providers, MACT and the hierarchy of courts, lawyers etc all are direct or indirect stake holders in accident prevention, mitigation, rescue, treatment and rehabilitation of RTA victims. This invariably adds to the social and administrative cost due to RTA. A just and timely compensation is necessary to ensure that the RTA victims is rehabilitated and is brought back to the life he or she was living before accident. A questionnaire based study was conducted amongst the RTA victims and various aspects of medical, legal, professional, social, economic aspects were explored and investigated. A total of 30 RTA victims who sustained various types of accidents and the resultant disabilities were shortlisted for the study and were interviewed personally/provided google form based questionnaire. It emerged that the elements of road safety and preventive measures, empowering the bystander, quick medical response during the golden hour, health insurance, legal aid and awareness of accident victims, fast deliberations in Motor Accident Claim Tribunals (MACT), physical, mental, social, economic, professional rehabilitation of RTA victims and their families is the need of the hour. Use of emerging Artificial Intelligence tools to facilitate the above is the way forward.