Age and Geographic Factors May Influence Injury Severity in Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian-vehicle collisions remain a significant public health concern, contributing to numerous injuries and fatalities annually. Recent studies have shed light on how age and geographic location can impact the severity of injuries sustained in such incidents.

Research presented at the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress 2025 highlights critical findings regarding injury patterns in pedestrian accidents. The studies indicate that while children and adults both suffer serious injuries in these collisions, adults typically face more severe outcomes.

In a national analysis led by a team from Morristown Medical Center, researchers examined data from the ACS Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP). They utilized the Injury Severity Score (ISS), which assesses the overall impact of injuries. An ISS score exceeding 25 suggests multiple severe injuries affecting various body regions. The study compared data from 760 children aged 1 to 17 with 760 adults over the age of 18.

• Severe Injuries in Both Age Groups: The average ISS for adults was found to be 28, while children had an average of 26.4, indicating serious injuries in both demographics.
• Higher Mortality Rates in Adults: The analysis revealed that adults had an 18.8% mortality rate compared to 8.1% among children. Additionally, adults experienced higher instances of complications such as deep vein thrombosis and cardiac arrest.
• Children's Resilience: The research suggested that children might have an inherent ability to recover better from injuries, potentially due to their physiological characteristics.

Researchers emphasized that pedestrian accidents often result in significant injuries that can be life-altering. They urged communities to implement preventive measures to reduce the likelihood of such incidents.

In a complementary study from the University of Colorado School of Medicine, researchers analyzed motor vehicle-pedestrian accidents in Colorado using geocoding techniques to identify high-frequency injury areas. The study focused on data from 321 pediatric patients treated between 2016 and 2024.

Findings indicated that neighborhoods with higher socioeconomic deprivation levels, as measured by the Area Deprivation Index (ADI), had a greater incidence of pedestrian accidents. The research identified two significant hotspots in Denver County, where motor vehicle-pedestrian collisions were most prevalent.

Moreover, the study observed a decline in accident rates at one intersection after safety measures were implemented, suggesting that targeted interventions could effectively reduce pedestrian injuries.

Understanding these patterns allows for better injury prevention strategies. Researchers advocate for community-wide efforts aimed at enhancing safety measures to protect pedestrians, particularly in vulnerable neighborhoods.

The implications of these studies underscore the urgent need for continued research and proactive measures to address pedestrian safety, ultimately aiming to decrease the occurrence and severity of injuries resulting from vehicle collisions.