Forensic Analysis of Injury Patterns among Occupants in Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents in Karachi, Pakistan

Drivers and passengers in Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVAs) may sustain a wide range of injuries. Objective: To investigate the patterns of injuries and factors responsible for differences between drivers and passengers in fatal motor vehicle accidents in Karachi, Sindh. Methods: Retrospective study was conducted carried out from 2nd July 2022 to 30th June 2024 by Department of Forensic medicine and Toxicology, Karachi Institute of Medical Sciences, Karachi. All victims involving drivers and passenger’s road traffic accidents fatalities, belongs to either gender, of any age from three major tertiary care hospitals in Karachi, Sindh were investigated and evaluated. Incomplete information, those of other fatalities and pedestrian related data were excluded. Results: Most (70.8%) were drivers, 20.0% were front-seat passengers, and 9.2% were rear-seat passengers. Over two-third, 80.5% died within one hour after the crash whereas, majority, 67.3% of the deaths occurred in front crashes, 13.7% in near edge hits, 13.5% in rollovers, and 5.5% in other accidents. Fatal injuries to the abdomen, thorax, head, and neck in 63.6%, 10.7%, 61.6%, and 27.4% of cases, respectively. Compared to drivers, those in the front seats experienced less heart and spleen traumas. In comparison to drivers, passengers in the front and back seats experienced a higher frequency of seat belt abrasions and a lower frequency of fractures to the extremities. Conclusion: The findings revealed significant differences in the types and frequency of injuries between drivers and passengers, highlighting the greater vulnerability of drivers to severe abdominal and head injuries.