When responding to vehicle collisions, it is imperative either EMS personnel or rescue workers examine the vehicle to determine possible injury patterns in patients.  Certain clues may assist with the treatment of the patient and provide a better understanding as to the force exerted on the patient.  This information should be included in a transfer of care to other EMS personnel and/or ER physicians and nurses.  Impact clues can vary from a simple starburst on the windshield to a deformed or broken steering column. This page looks at those clues and provides insight as to what they could suggest.

 TYPES OF COLLISIONS

Frontal

Rear End

Lateral

Roll-over

Combination

 DEGREE OF DAMAGE

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY ENTRAPMENT

SEATS

STEERING RIMS AND COLUMNS

OCCUPANT MOVEMENT 

EXTERIOR DAMAGE

INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OBJECTS

THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD

STARBURST