In road safety and transportation contexts, a serious crash is often defined as one in which at least one person sustains serious (non-fatal) injuries—for example, injuries that require hospitalization, lead to long-term disability, or pose a substantial risk to life. These crashes usually involve high speeds, impaired or distracted driving, or failure to use safety equipment like seat belts or helmets. Serious crashes are distinguished from minor ones, which involve only property damage or minor injuries.