Accident trauma

Did you know?

• In the UK, ten drivers die in road accidents each day
• Someone driving 25,000 miles per year has the same risk of an accident as a coal miner
• Road accidents are the biggest cause of fatalities among men under 25 years-old
• Around 130 cyclists are killed each year
• About 5,000 people per year have an accident that involves a flowerpot
• 175,000 people each year are treated for burns; 300 die

Causes of accident trauma

What can potentially cause an accident is a never-ending list but the common causes of accident fatalities include:

• Road traffic accidents
• Fire
• Drowning
• Suffocation
• Falls
• Poisoning
• Choking

While not all accidents prove fatal, many people continue to feel the effects of an accident for many months or years after the event has taken place. Problems can be physical and psychological.

Symptoms of accident trauma

An accident can cause traumatic physical and psychological injuries and therefore the symptoms can vary and range from mild to severe.

Common physical traumas include broken bones, burns, scalds, bruising, cuts and haemorrhaging. Psychological trauma can include amnesia which is immediate or PTSD, anxiety and depression which usually develop some time after the accident has taken place. These problems can all affect a person's ability to overcome the trauma of an accident and lead a normal life.

Diagnosis of accident trauma

In the event of an accident you should seek immediate medical attention to assess for any serious damage. If you find you're experiencing psychological difficulties after an accident then visit your GP who will check for any underlying problems. You may be referred to a mental health specialist for accident trauma such as a counsellor.

Related Terms

• Trips
• Falls
• Car crash
• Trauma
• Fatality
• Domestic accidents
• Emergency