Low Velocity Vehicular Injuries in Children—"Run-Over" Accidents

Abstract

Fourteen children, mostly in the toddler to pre-school age group, were treated for injuries resultant from low velocity vehicular accidents in which the child was literally run over. Multiple system injury and visceral injury to brain, lungs, liver, and kidneys were noted. One death and several permanent disabilities resulted in this small group. Most of the accidents could have been prevented by closer supervision of the children. Devices such as childproof door handles, which are currently available, and audible backing signals, currently available on industrial vehicles, might further reduce the incidence of this type of accident.