Many country roads have ditches running parallel to the road for draining water. A vehicle entering a ditch can face a number of hazards.
Risk factors for going into a ditch:
(1) slick road surface
(2) loss of control
(3) accident or trying to avoid an accident
(4) poor visibility
(5) intoxication
Factors associated with severity of the impact
(1) depth and breadth of the ditch
(2) speed of the vehicle
(3) something solid in the way (large rock, tree, end of ditch)
(4) angle of entry
Additional hazards
(1) standing or running water
(2) object capable of causing penetrating injury
(3) snakes
(4) animals
(5) debris
(6) trailer or other vehicle impacting into the rear of the trapped vehicle
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Specialty: Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
ICD-10: ,
