The psychosocial consequences of motor vehicle accidents

Motor vehicle accidents are extremely common in Australia and generate larg e social costs, The survivors of these accidents frequently sustain signifi cant permanent disabilities that require ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, and community care. However, the psychosocial consequences of motor vehicl e accidents are usually overlooked. For many survivors of motor vehicle acc idents, the trauma and psychological or emotional difficulties they experie nce can be devastating. Socially and vocationally, the losses associated wi th motor vehicle accidents can be extensive, particularly if a permanent di sability has been sustained. Despite the size and potential cost of the pro blems associated with motor vehicle accidents, this area has been adequatel y studied as a source of loss and grief. Given that psychosocial Problems c an hinder the rehabilitation process, workers must be aware of the adjustme nt Problems that are likely to arise from this type of loss. Accordingly, t he aim of the current article Is to review the available literature concern ing the psychosocial consequences of motor vehicle accidents. It is suggest ed that motor vehicle accidents warrant specific research attention to dete rmine which factors might assist this population to adjust to their losses and to ensure that efficacious and cost-efficient rehabilitation interventi ons can be developed.