Automobile collisions, kinematics and related injury patterns.
It has been determined clinically that fatalities and injury severity resulting from automobile collisions have decreased during the last five years for low impact speeds. This reduction is a direct result of the application of biomechanics and occupant kinematics, as well as changes in automobile design. The paper defines terminology used in the field of mechanics and develops examples and illustrations of the physical concepts of acceleration, force strength, magnitude duration, rate of onset and others, as they apply to collision phenomena and injury. The mechanism of injury pattern reduction through the use of restraint systems is illustrated.
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D001336:Automobiles; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D007700:Kinetics; D012622:Seat Belts; D014947:Wounds and Injuries