Pattern of Craniocerebral Injuries in Fatal Vehicular Accidents in Patna (Bihar)

Among all type of accidents, those caused by motor vehicle claims the largest toll of life and tend to be the most serious. The present prospective study was conducted in the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Patna Medical College and Hospital Patna from September, 2007 to April, 2009 on 100 cases. The primary aim of this study was to find out nature and types of cranio-cerebral injuries (CCI) sustained in fatal road traffic accidents (RTA) and make an attempt to establish various causative factors, patterns and distribution of CCI and thereby to plan successful measures against it. Our study shows that 30% victims were of middle age group, male: female ratio was 4.5:1. Maximum number of cases was during the summer season. 66% victims were pedestrians; in 47% cases heavy vehicles were involved. In 86% cases the death was due to fatal cranio-cerebral injuries alone. In 30% cases the death was instantaneous, 65% cases died within 48 hours after the injury and were able to obtain only minor surgical aid and only 9% cases died after 48 hours of the injury receiving definitive surgical treatment.