Factors affecting hospital charges and length of stay from teenage motor vehicle crash-related hospitalizations among United States teenagers, 2002-2007

▶ Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers in the United States, and lead to considerable medical costs. ▶ Using data from the National Inpatient Sample for the years 2002-2007, a total of 139,880 teens aged 15-18 were hospitalized for motor vehicle crashes. ▶ Total hospital charges exceeded $1 billion dollars almost every year, with medial hospital charges exceeding $25,000. ▶ Older teens, boys, those with fractures, internal injuries or intracranial injuries, and Medicaid/Medicare as a payer were associated with higher hospital charges and longer lengths of stay.