In North America, fatal injuries sustained by occupants in side impacts constitute almost 40% of road traffic deaths. While a decrease in fatalities was observed for frontal impact scenarios over the last decade, passive safety in side impacts remains a challenge. Side impact research with Anthropometric Test Devices has led to improvements in occupant protection. However, recent epidemiological data shows that side airbags are less effective than expected. Previous studies indicated that the effectiveness of restraint systems was sensitive to occupant pre-crash position. To further enhance occupant safety, understanding the occupant response and the potential for injury in side impact scenarios is necessary. To address these challenges, a finite element Human Body Model was used in a parametric study on the occupant response sensitivity to the occupant pre-crash position and side airbag configuration. The Finite Element Human Body Model with detailed thoracic section was integrated with a mid-sized sedan, seatbelts, and side airbag models, and subjected to a moving deformable barrier impact at 61 kph (38 mph). Two pre-crash occupant positions were considered, with arms in a vertical and horizontal configuration. Side airbag location and inflator mass flow rate was varied in a parametric study. It was observed that the predicted occupant response was most sensitive to the arm position, while the side airbag configuration had a less significant effect. With the arm in a vertical position, the chest deflection, Viscous Criterion, number of fractured ribs, and contused lung volume increased regardless of the side airbag configuration. The lowest values of the injury metrics were predicted for a horizontal arm position where no side airbag was present.