Final answer:
Historically, sharp force injuries, such as those from axes, were a common cause of perimortem trauma and death.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the causes of accidental deaths in various historical and contemporary contexts, focusing on how these types of accidents were and are still significant contributors to mortalities. Specific forms of accidents mentioned include drownings, ax wounds, shootings, being run over by wagons, and being trampled by livestock.
Perimortem trauma, often evidenced in historical remains, reveals sharp force injuries as a prevalent cause of death, with the vast majority of injuries being clean cuts to the bone, indicative of the force and sharpness of axes and similar weapons.
In contemporary times, head and traumatic brain injuries, often from falls or vehicle-related crashes, represent a significant portion of injury-related deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The dangers of accidents are not limited to warfare; with industrialization, workplace injuries such as those from machinery in textile factories became notable. Finally, accidental drowning is particularly significant, being the second leading cause of death in children aged 12 years and younger in the United States.