Cervical airway injuries as a result of impact with steering wheel rim
Mittleman, R.E.
Journal of Forensic Sciences 33(5): 1198-1205
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-1198 PMID: 3193076 Document Number: 317503
Motor vehicle occupants may suffer severe cervical airway injuries as the result of impaction with the steering wheel, dashboard, windshield, backseat, and seat belt. Although the steering column is well recognized as a general site of injury infliction, less attention has been directed to components which may be the actual focal point of contact, such as the steering wheel rim. Two cases of cervical airway injury as a result of impact with the steering wheel rim are presented, including one instance of complete laryngotracheal transection. Correlation of injury with crash and postcrash sequences as well as thr damaged vehicle will oftern provide excellent crash injury reconstruction.