Stabbed by motorcycle? Reconstruction of an unusual traffic accident

Abstract

The reconstruction of traffic accidents involving powered two-wheelers (PTWs) frequently proves to be a challenging task. A case in which a fatal head-on crash of a PTW with a small truck where only minor vehicles damage was observed but resulted in isolated fatal chest trauma is discussed here. External examination of the corpse revealed two lacerations on the back, at the first glance implying sharp trauma. Based on the accident traces, the technical expert assumed an emergency break of the PTW rider resulting in a rotation of the PTW in terms of a wheelie on the front wheel. The first contact between the PTW rider and the tail end of the small truck probably occurred with the upper side of the helmet, and then, the back handle of the PTW caused the stab-like injuries followed by compression of the rider between the small truck or asphalt and the PTW. Based on the few accident traces available, neither a reconstruction of the pre-impact velocity nor a detailed reconstruction of the PTW rider kinematics was possible. However, using an interdisciplinary approach, the principal collision position as well as the injury mechanisms could be reconstructed.

“Lung in the Skull”

“…[15][16][17][18] Several authors shared unusual stab-like and impaling injuries due to motorcycle collisions. 19,20 This case highlights the novel presentation of crushing injury, manifested by lung pieces herniation into the intracranial space via skull base hinge fracture. Recognition of unusual or nonclassic findings may provide valuable information regarding the nature of death in a body found along a roadway (hit-and-run scenario, vehicle-ramming attack) or elsewhere.…”

“…These include, for example, fuel tank injury (groin and pelvic injuries in head-on collisions), motorcyclist's fracture (hinge fracture in which a transverse crack extends the width of middle cranial fossa), helmet-associated cranial fractures, trunk transections, and decapitations 15–18 . Several authors shared unusual stab-like and impaling injuries due to motorcycle collisions 19,20 …”

Časovo-Priestorová Analýza Špecifickej Dopravnej Nehody Na Diaľnici

“…Autorom sa podarilo na základe takto vykonanej rekonštrukcie a analýzy identifikovať charakter nehodového silového namáhania pôsobiaceho na telá osádky motocyklov a následne vykonať koreláciu tohto silového namáhania s identifikovanými zraneniami. Bol zistený rozdiel v charaktere silového namáhania, ktorému je vystavený vodič a pasažier motocykla čo umožnilo určenie polohy osôb na motocykle pred dopravnou nehodou Muggenthaler, et al, 2023). prezentovali vo svojom príspevku prípadovú štúdiu špecifickej dopravnej nehody medzi motocyklom a malým nákladným vozidlom.…”