Frequency of injuries in multiple impact crashes

Digges, K.; Bahouth, G.

NASS 1998-2000 was queried to determine the frequency of serious injuries in multiple impact crashes and the distribution of injuries by crash sequence. The data set included all passenger cars and light trucks in NASS/CDS.

The results showed that 42% of the MAIS 3+ injuries were in crashes that involved more than one harmful event. Approximately 24% of the MAIS 3+ injuries involved two harmful events, and 18% involved 3 or more harmful events.

For multiple crashes with serious injuries, the most frequent initial impact direction was frontal (50%) followed by side (44.9%). The most frequent second impact was side (48.4%) followed by frontal (27.6%). The most harmful sequences were side-side (27.7%), front-side (15.8%) and front-front (14.9).

The data suggests the need for further investigation and classification complex multiple impact crashes to aid in the in the design of safety systems.

Year

Entry

2001

Fay PA, Sferco R, Frampton R. Multiple impact crashes consequences for occupant protection measures. In: Proceedings of the 2001 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. October 10-12, 2001; Isle of Man, UK.

1998

Temming J, Zobel R. Frequency and risk of cervical spine distortion injuries in passenger car accidents: significance of human factors data. In: Proceedings of the 1998 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. September 16-18, 1998; Göteberg, Sweden.219-233.

Year

Entry

2005

Augenstein J, Perdeck E, Bahouth GT, Digges KH, Borchers N, Baur P. Injury identification: priorities for data transmitted. In: Proceedings of the 19th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 6-9, 2005; Washington, DC.

2005

Bahouth J, Digges K. Characteristics of multiple impact crashes that produce serious injuries. In: Proceedings of the 19th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 6-9, 2005; Washington, DC.