Final answer:
The NTSB defines a fatal injury as one resulting in death within 30 days of the accident, while a serious injury includes hospitalization for over 48 hours, bone fractures, severe hemorrhages, organ damage, or significant burns. These definitions are vital for accurate accident reporting and highlight safety equipment's role, such as airbags, in reducing serious injuries.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Regulation 830, a fatal injury is defined as any injury that results in death within 30 days of the accident. It is a critical metric used in assessing transportation accidents, including motor vehicle crashes and aviation incidents. On the other hand, a serious injury is defined as one that:
- Requires hospitalization for more than 48 hours, commencing within seven days from the date of injury received.
- Results in a fracture of any bone (except simple fractures of fingers, toes, or nose).
- Causes severe hemorrhages, nerve, muscle, or tendon damage.
- Involves any internal organ.
- Results in second or third-degree burns, or any burns affecting more than 5% of the body surface.
Understanding these definitions is crucial for proper reporting and analysis of accident data, and they emphasize the importance of safety measures like airbags in vehicles, which are designed to minimize serious injuries during a crash.