Types of Road Traffic Accidents and Emergency Medical Care

Lenjani, Basri; Dogjani, Agron; Abdullahu, Luljeta; Zeqiri, Arlind; Lenjani, Dardan; Imeri, Bujar · 2025 · DOAJ

DOI: 10.32391/ajtes.v9i1.434

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Summary

This review article addresses the significant global burden of road traffic accidents (RTAs), which cause approximately 1.35 million deaths annually and are the leading cause of death for individuals aged 5–29. The authors aim to summarize the best available evidence regarding the types of RTAs, their mechanisms, and the emergency medical care required to manage them. The study highlights that inadequate human behavior accounts for 85% of accidents, followed by road conditions (10%) and technical failures (5%). The research emphasizes the need for systematic management protocols and targeted interventions to reduce morbidity and mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where 93% of fatalities occur. The authors employed a rapid evidence synthesis approach adapted from the SURE Rapid Response Service. They searched various databases, including PubMed, to identify relevant literature. After screening titles and abstracts, four articles meeting specific inclusion criteria were selected for final review. The paper categorizes RTAs into distinct types based on the mechanism of injury, including loss of control, head-on collisions, vehicle rollovers, multi-vehicle collisions, side-impact collisions, and single-vehicle accidents involving fixed objects. The review also outlines the clinical predictors of management outcomes, such as anatomical injury sites, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores at admission, time to reach a health facility, and the specific treatment protocols applied. Key findings indicate that the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) protocol is essential for systematically managing trauma patients to prevent missed life-threatening conditions. The ATLS primary survey prioritizes injuries by lethality, focusing on airway protection, breathing, circulation, disability evaluation, and exposure. The authors also highlight the DRSABCD action plan as a crucial first-aid framework for immediate assessment and intervention. The review notes that specific injury patterns correlate with accident types; for instance, head-on collisions often result in severe brain concussions and fractures, while rollovers pose high risks of ejection and serious trauma, though seat belt usage significantly improves survival rates. The study identifies that head injuries and multiple-site injuries are primary drivers of increased injury severity in Kosovo. The significance of this work lies in its call for a holistic, multi-sectoral approach to road safety and emergency care. The authors conclude that effective management requires strengthening primary, secondary, and tertiary health systems through rigorous triage protocols. They advocate for continuous education and training for healthcare professionals in triage, communication, and life support techniques such as Basic Life Support, ACLS, and PHTLS. Furthermore, the paper stresses the importance of political will, legislation enforcement, and public awareness campaigns to mitigate risk factors. By integrating clinical guidelines with preventive strategies, the authors argue that the predictable and preventable nature of RTAs can be addressed to reduce global injury and mortality rates.

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• post crash care delays