Real-world car-to-pedestrian-crash data from an urban centre.
BACKGROUND
Pedestrians are at a high risk for crash and injury. This study aims at comparing data from real world crashes with data gathered from experimental settings.


METHODS
IMPAIR (In-Depth Medical Pedestrian Accident Investigation and Reconstruction) was a prospective, observational study performed in a metropolitan area. Data was collected on-scene, from clinical records, and interviews. Data comprise crash data, details on injury pattern and injury severity.


RESULTS
Thirty-seven pedestrians (of which 19 males) with a mean 37.1 years of age were included in the study. The mean collision speed was 49.5 km/h (SD 13.7, range, 28 - 93). The mean ISS (31.0, SD 25.4) and the 24% fatality rate indicate a substantial trauma load. The most common AIS 4+ injuries were to the head (23 subjects), followed by chest (8), pelvis (4), and abdomen (2). An association of impact side and injury side (right/left) was found for abdominal, chest, pelvic, and upper limb injuries. Primary head impacts were documented on the windscreen (19 subjects), hood (10), A-pillar (2), and edge of the car roof (2). With bivariate analysis, a significant increase of MAIS 4+ head injury risk was found for collision speeds of >40 km/h (OR 9.00, 95% CI 1.96-41.36).


CONCLUSIONS
The real-world data from this study is in agreement with previous findings from biomechanical models and other simulations. This data suggest that there may be reason to include further pedestrian regulations in EuroNCAP.
Schmucker
Uli
U
Dept of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University Greifswald, Sauerbruchstrasse, 17475 Greifswald, Germany.
Beirau
Melissa
M
Dept of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin, Warener Strasse 7, 12683 Berlin, Germany.
Frank
Matthias
M
Dept of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin, Warener Strasse 7, 12683 Berlin, Germany.|Dept of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University Greifswald, Sauerbruchstrasse, 17475 Greifswald, Germany.
Stengel
Dirk
D
Dept of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin, Warener Strasse 7, 12683 Berlin, Germany.
Matthes
Gerrit
G
Dept of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin, Warener Strasse 7, 12683 Berlin, Germany.|Dept of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University Greifswald, Sauerbruchstrasse, 17475 Greifswald, Germany.
Ekkernkamp
Axel
A
Dept of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin, Warener Strasse 7, 12683 Berlin, Germany.|Dept of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University Greifswald, Sauerbruchstrasse, 17475 Greifswald, Germany.
Seifert
Julia
J
Dept of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin, Warener Strasse 7, 12683 Berlin, Germany.|Dept of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University Greifswald, Sauerbruchstrasse, 17475 Greifswald, Germany.