Abstract
FARS and NASS CDS data were analyzed to determine time and cause of occupant deaths resulting from light vehicle crashes in the early 1990s. The results shows 46 percent of the deaths occurred within half an hour, 24 percent between half an hour and an hour and a half and a total of 90 percent within 24 hours. Of the deaths occurring during the 1.5 hours following injury 52 percent were the result of head injuries and 36 percent were the result of thorax injuries. When compared with the classical Trunkey tri-modal model, the “immediate” deaths are similar in time but somewhat lower in magnitude, the “early” deaths are earlier and somewhat lower in magnitude, and there is no evidence of a “late” peak. These results suggest that the tri-modal model may need to be modified to reflect current conditions.