Kids in car seats are also a priority. Often, very seriously injured patients have difficulty being in the project, especially if they have sustained a brain injury. This is due to the fact that we need informed consent from our subjects and need to do interviews regarding their baseline physical and emotional well-being. Others need all of their energy to heal and cope with their situation. Some individuals are very eager to tell their stories in the hope that their experience can be of help to others.
People vary a great deal in their response to being in a crash.
Again, this is very individualized. Patients responses seem to depend on previous life experiences and coping mechanisms, available support systems and degree of injury. It is much different to have a leg fracture versus a head or spinal cord injury. All trauma is difficult, but injuries with long-term effects also often involve major life losses as well loss of function, job and relationships. As clinicians, we are now just beginning to understand the psychological consequences of major trauma.