Automobile rollover accidents in the United States are a small portion of the nation's annual accident statistics. Rollovers are events with high serious injury and fatality potential. Occupant kinematics in rollover accidents and related injury mechanisms are summarised. With increased restraint system usage there are now larger numbers of safety belted people on the road. A newly emerging class of rollover related cervical spine injuries is occurring in restrained vehicle occupants. The injury mechanisms that appear to be associated with these injuries are presented. The relationship of rollover roof crushing and potential cervical spine injury mechanisms is examined. The ability of safety restraint systems to prevent these neck injuries in rollover accidents is considered. Some thoughts on preventing or minimising rollover injuries are discussed. (A)
Abstract