The Incidence and Consequences of Pediatric Motor Vehicle Injuries

The current characteristics of the under 16 year-old U.S. population injured in motor vehicle crashes was determined for motor vehicle occupants, pedestrians and bicyclists. Age, gender, restraint usage, type and severity of injury, length of stay, levels of impairment, charges for treatment, and source of payments were considered. Although injuries and fatalities experienced by this age group are under-represented relative to population, the group is overrepresented in police reported bicycle injuries and fatalities and pedestrian injuries.