3 FAQs About The National Definition For Serious Injuries

Several federal agencies created a national definition states can use to report severe injuries. They made it per the 4th edition of the Model Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria’s Suspected Serious Injury requirements.

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions regarding this definition.

1. Why does it exist?

One of the measures Congress has implemented to help improve highway safety is demanding that states report all severe injuries resulting from crashes. Additionally, states and cities must implement measures to reduce the number of severe injuries on their roads. The US Department of Transportation created the national definition to make reporting and data collection easier. That ensures that the data reported by states and local governments are consistent.

2. How has it benefited people?

City planners, researchers, safety specialists, civil engineers and law enforcement rely on accurate data to make the roads safer. However, the data is inconsistent if states and local governments use different definitions to report severe injuries. Inconsistency skews the data. A standardized basis eliminates the chances of skewed data, so officials can make the roads safer.

3. What is the MMUCC?

The states use a standardized data reporting system, the MMUCC, that allows them to describe vehicular accidents uniformly. That has allowed the local, state and federal governments to improve roadway safety through accurate data collection.

Knowing this information can help you understand if you were the victim of a severe injury due to a crash. That can help you determine whether or not you have a personal injury case to pursue.