Abstract
Upper torso injuries by the side interior surface of motor vehicles rank first in the injury categories for all non-ejected occupants of side damages passenger cars in non-rollover accidents. Occupant responses in full scale crash tests are compared with computer simulations of the crashes. Response of the occupant to variations in his clearance with the side door interior are also examined. It is concluded that thoracic injury level could possibly be reduced by proper choice of padding characteristics.