A method is presented for calculating the change in velocity (deltaV) of the occupant on the near side of impact in a car-to-car collision. The method can be applied to real-world accidents under the following conditions: presence of an occupant in a line with the impacted structure, impacted vehicle's longitudinal velocity not exceeding 20% of the impacting vehicle's velocity, and angle of collision 90 degrees plus/minus 30 degrees. Preliminary validation of the method via a series of experimental collisions is described, and application to 60 real-world accidents is discussed. A high correlation was found between occupant deltaV and pelvis and thorax injury severity (Abbreviated Injury Scale). The correspondence between injury severity and either car deltaV or impact velocity was not as great. For given occupant deltaV values, relationships are established between Hybrid II dummy acceleration levels and the severity of injuries sustained by cadaver subjects and by persons involved in crashes.
Abstract