Injury patterns and forensic report classification in motorcycle accidents: A large-scale retrospective study

Area of Science:

• Forensic Medicine
• Public Health
• Traumatology

Background:

• Motorcycle accidents pose significant public health and forensic challenges due to high morbidity and mortality.
• Understanding the characteristics of these accidents is vital for developing effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the demographic, clinical, and forensic features of motorcycle accidents.
• To analyze injury patterns and severity in motorcycle accident victims.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 2,445 motorcycle accident cases from 2020-2024.
• Data collected included demographics, accident circumstances, helmet/alcohol use, injury types, Injury Severity Score (ISS), and forensic classifications under the Turkish Penal Code (TCK).

Main Results:

• The study population was predominantly male (91.7%) with an average age of 31.8 years, most frequently in the 20-29 age group.
• Accidents commonly occurred within city limits (68.1%) via collision with other vehicles (59.8%). Helmet use was low (36.0%), and injuries primarily affected extremities (lower: 44.4%, upper: 38.7%).
• Average ISS was 9.1, with 59.3% classified as mild injuries under TCK. A significant portion (66.0%) required only simple medical intervention.

Conclusions:

• Motorcycle accidents are a major concern for young males, exacerbated by low helmet usage.
• Extremity injuries are common, and TCK-based forensic classification aids practice. Enhanced safety measures and protective equipment use are critical.
• Preventing alcohol-impaired driving and improving traffic safety are essential to reduce the burden of motorcycle accidents.