Children’s outcomes in road traffic accidents: challenges for personal injury assessment

Abstract Children represent a specific group of road traffic accident (RTA) victims. Performing personal injury assessment (PIA) for child presents significant challenge, especially when assessing permanent disabilities and needs. However, medico-legal recommendations PIA in such cases are lacking. The main objective this study was to analyse the differences between children young- middle-aged adult population RTA victims contribute development relevant guidelines. Secondary objectives were identify characterise specifics children’s posttraumatic damages regarding: (a) temporary outcomes; (b) damage parameters Portuguese context. We performed retrospective by comparing two groups (n = 114 each) matched acute severity (SD 0.01): G1 (children) G2 (young- adults). Logistic regression used estimate odds ratios. presented greater chance evolving without or with less severe body, functional situational outcomes (three-dimensional methodology) lower disability values than G2. Our findings suggest that childhood trauma generally has better prognosis young adults. This generated evidence on subject highlighted most difficulties encountered experts performing children.