Head injuries from car accidents are a significant public health issue. These injuries encompass a wide spectrum of harm, from a mild concussion caused by a sudden jolt to a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) resulting from a forceful impact to the head. A TBI disrupts the normal function of the brain and can have lasting consequences. Understanding the data behind these incidents provides insight into their frequency, the individuals most affected, and the circumstances that lead to them.
Overall Prevalence of Head Injuries in Crashes
Data indicates that motor vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of TBI-related emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths combined. For instance, analyses have shown that crashes lead to an estimated 292,202 TBIs each year in the United States.
The severity of these head injuries varies, with approximately 75% of all TBIs considered mild, often referred to as concussions. However, a substantial number of more severe injuries also occur. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that motor vehicle crashes annually account for an estimated 56,864 hospitalizations and 16,402 deaths related to TBIs.
These numbers illustrate the impact of traffic accidents on brain health. While falls are the leading cause of TBI overall, motor vehicle crashes are responsible for the greatest number of TBI-related fatalities.
Demographics of Head Injury Victims
Age is a significant factor, with specific groups showing higher rates of injury. Children aged 0 to 4 years have one of the highest rates of TBI-related emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths combined. Specifically, children under one year old demonstrate higher incidence rates of head injuries in crashes compared to older children.
Teenagers and young adults, particularly those between 15 and 24 years old, experience high rates of TBI, with motor vehicle crashes being a predominant cause for this demographic. The rate of TBI related to motor vehicle traffic is highest among young adults aged 20 to 24. This vulnerability is often linked to factors associated with new drivers, including inexperience and risk-taking behaviors.
Across every age group, males have higher rates of TBI than females. The highest rates for TBI-related emergency visits, hospitalizations, and deaths are seen in males from 0 to 4 years old. This disparity continues through adolescence and adulthood.
Adults aged 75 and older have the highest rates of TBI-related hospitalizations and deaths. While falls are the leading cause of their injuries overall, traffic accidents remain a notable source of severe and fatal head trauma for this age group. Their increased physical vulnerability can lead to more serious outcomes from the impact of a crash.
Crash Factors and Risk Statistics
The type of collision is a major determinant of risk. Rollover crashes, for example, are particularly dangerous and have a high propensity for causing serious head trauma, even though they represent a smaller percentage of total accidents. Head-on and side-impact, or “T-bone,” collisions also carry a significant risk due to the immense forces exerted on the occupants’ heads and upper bodies.
Occupants who do not use a seatbelt are significantly more likely to suffer a head injury during a crash. The restraint system is designed to prevent an occupant’s head and body from striking hard surfaces within the vehicle, such as the steering wheel, dashboard, or windows. Data consistently shows that unbelted occupants account for a disproportionately high number of severe and fatal head injuries.
Vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists, face a much higher probability of head injury when involved in a collision with a motor vehicle. Lacking the protective structure of an enclosed vehicle, these individuals are exposed to direct impact forces. Motorcyclists, in particular, see a dramatic reduction in head injury risk when wearing a helmet, yet they remain one of the highest-risk groups for fatal TBIs in traffic accidents.
Statistical Outcomes of Head Injuries
Annually, tens of thousands of individuals require hospitalization for TBIs resulting from motor vehicle crashes. Data from 2013 showed approximately 282,000 TBI-related hospitalizations in total, with traffic incidents being a primary contributor.
A significant percentage of individuals who sustain a TBI in a car crash face long-term health challenges. An estimated 5.3 million U.S. residents are living with disabilities related to a traumatic brain injury, including cognitive and psychological impairments. These long-term outcomes can affect a person’s ability to return to work and lead an independent life. The societal costs associated with these disabilities, including lost wages and productivity, are substantial, estimated in the tens of billions of dollars annually.
Nearly one-third of all injury-related deaths involve a TBI diagnosis. While the overall rate of TBI-related deaths from crashes has seen a decrease over time, due in part to improved vehicle safety features and public policies, crashes still account for thousands of fatalities each year. In 2013, motor vehicle crashes were the cause for an age-adjusted death rate of 3.4 per 100,000 people.