The impact of traffic bodily injury damages on quality-adjusted life expectancy: the case of Spain

Abstract

Motor‑vehicle crashes generate substantial losses in quality‑adjusted life years (QALYs). Using 2022 hospital data from the Spanish Ministry of Health, this study estimates expected QALY loss across injury profiles. Hospitalized victims show significantly higher losses than those treated only in emergency departments, and QALY loss is greater among males, younger individuals, summer and weekend crashes, ICU admissions, and fatalities. A comparison with the baremo shows that QALY‑based valuations tend to exceed statutory amounts in severe cases while remaining below them in minor injuries, highlighting both the proportionality of the QALY approach and its potential complementarity with the current system.