Work

A Survival Analysis Based on Forensic Investigation of Motorcycle Road Traffic Accidents in the Athens Metropolitan Area During 2021–2023

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Motorcycle accidents have grown to become a significant public health thread worldwide. Most of the victims are described to be males of young age, some of lower socioeconomic status. Throughout the literature, head and spinal injuries are described as the most common injuries, while chest injuries and lower extremity fractures are also frequently described. Moreover, driving under the influence of alcohol has been widely described as a major predisposing factor. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to categorize risk factors, including demographic information and alcohol/psychoactive substance consumption, as well as pre-existing medical conditions. Correspondingly, we identified the most common injury patterns and attempted to establish a connection between time to hospital and survival rates. Methods: Cases of motorcycle-related road traffic accidents (RTAs) examined by the authors during 2021–2023 were included in the study sample (94 cases in total). This retrospective cohort study assessed survival time (in days) from accident to death. Kaplan–Meier curves, stratified by key categorical variables, were used to analyze survival probabilities over time. Univariate Cox regression was used to assess each variable’s effect on survival. The association between exposure and mortality was analyzed using hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Head injuries were associated with poorer outcomes. Chest injuries reduced median survival to 1.68 h compared to 5.85 days in cases that had not sustained chest injuries. Abdominal injuries also shortened survival (1.632 h vs. 1.896 h), as did multiple-site injuries (1.584 h vs. 0.2 days for single/double-site). Positive toxicology for psychoactive substances lowered survival to 1.32 h compared to 1.752 h in cases with negative toxicological findings. Multiple-site injuries and head, chest and abdominal injuries appeared to significantly affect the survival of victims. Positive toxicological examination results for psychoactive substances also appeared to heavily impact survival.

Source: Forensic Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/forensicsci5040068