Unfallverletzungen in Fahrzeugen mit Airbags

The use of airbags is an important element of the passive safety equipment of vehicles. During the last 30 years airbags showed high improvements in the level of occupant protection. The aim of this project is to reveal the current occupant protection level and the potential for optimisation of the restraint system, with a particular focus on airbags. Based on in depth data from Germany (GIDAS) and the US (NASS) road traffic accidents were analysed. Experimental accident reconstructions were conducted and volume hearing loss risks were assessed based on airbag activation by noise measurements in crash tests and static airbag deployment tests. In individual case analyses hearing loss was seen.
Based on the GIDAS analysis results a test matrix was developed to adress the revealed problems with accident reconstruction and acoustical measurement. In the accident reconstruction that addresses a central pole impact the airbag deployed too late which was linked with causing severe chest injuries. An earlier airbag deployment could lower this injury risk. In the analysed vehicle-vehicle collision it was shown that the airbag deployment did not lower the injury risk. If this unnecessary airbag deployment would have been prevented the temporary hearing loss of the driver would likely not have been occurred.
The acoustical measurements showed that the crash noise itself without airbag deployment is sufficient to trigger the stapedius reflex, which prevents the ear from damage caused by high volume exposure. Therefore, the risk for hearing loss is considerably low despite the measured volumes exceeding 160 dB. However, the risk for hearing losses increases with the number of deployed airbags in a car due to the extended duration caused by the sequence of explosions. Also, a deployment very shortly after first crash contact of the vehicle increases the risk for hearing losses because the stapedius reflex needs some time for activation.
With the analysed data it was shown that the protection level resulting from airbags is non-controversial, but potential for further optimisation was revealed. In cases with poor structural interaction the airbag triggering time may not always be optimal and in cases with low accident severity the problem of unnecessary airbag deployment should be addressed. Potential to lower injury risk during an airbag deployment was seen for abrasion, burnings, contusions and hearing loss injuries.