Risk factors for pelvic fractures in lateral impact motor vehicle crashes

Lateral impact motor vehicle crashes account for over 10% of all crashes and are more likely to result in pelvic fractures than frontal crashes. We performed a case control study of lateral impact motor vehicle crashes using the 1995–2004 National Accident Sampling System Crashworthiness Data System to determine occupant and vehicle risk factors for pelvic fractures. Cases (N = 728) were occupants involved in a near-side lateral impact crash who experienced a pelvic fracture and controls were occupants (N = 5710) who did not experience a pelvic fracture. Occupant risk factors evaluated were age, body mass index (BMI), gender including pregnancy status, and seat belt use. Vehicle risk factors evaluated were vehicle body type, weight of striking and struck vehicles, and magnitude of intrusion of side or door panel. Using multivariate logistic regression analysis, we found that age 65 years or older, female gender, underweight body mass index, and increasing magnitude of intrusion of the door or side panel of the vehicle were associated with an increased risk of a pelvic fracture. Injury prevention strategies should focus on decreasing the magnitude of side or door panel intrusion to decrease the risk of pelvic fracture in the event of a lateral impact crash.