This paper describes an analysis of 221 car-to-car side impact collisions selected from the Multi-Disciplinary Accident Investigation files. The selected cases were analyzed with the aid of the CRASH (Calspan Reconstruction of Accident Speeds on the Highway) computer model. Only those cases which are within the assumptions of this computer model are included.
Several parameters which relate crash severity to occupant injury are displayed in graphical form. The paper also addressed the variability in the injuries which are found in the accident file.
It is shown in this paper that the many crash environment parameters may essentially be reduced to two parameters, point of contact within the vehicle and the relative velocity between the occupant and the interior contact. The correlation between occupant injury and these two descriptive parameters is shown by graphs and discussion. The approximate injury tolerance thresholds are shown and discussed.
Findings in the accident data are substantiated and supplemented by the use of another computer model which simulates the structural response of the vehicle as well as the occupant.