This paper is a review of some recent real-world studies of collisions involving lateral impacts. It is restricted to the european experience. The input conditions in terms of the frequencies of impact directions, zones struck, the nature of the striking objects, the mass ratios and the velocity changes are summarised. Some data on the functioning of door latches in side impacts are given and the nature and extent of the damage to the struck cars is summarised. The frequencies and anatomical distributions of the injuries to the struck side and non-struck side occupants are summarised and the main contacts which generate those injuries are reviewed. The door and associated structures stand out as the frequent cause of major trauma to the chest and abdomen, whilst the side header and the striking object relate most frequently to head injuries. The methods used for the reconstruction of side-impacts are introduced. This technique of whole collision reconstruction appears to be a valid method of obtaining insights into injury criteria limits for the lateral impact configuration. (a)
Abstract