Abstract
Selected side-impact cases from the National Crash Severity Study (NCSS) were studied to determine similarities and differences between actual crashes and laboratory (sled) crash tests. Sled tests simulating side impact have been conducted almost exclusively at a 90 degrees impact angle, so the NCSS cases analyzed were those with a nearside occupant and a reported 3 o'clock or 9 o'clock impact vector. Of the 91 cases studied, 51 were judged comparable to the laboratory situation.