title: Impact and injury patterns in between-rails frontal crashes of vehicles with good ratings for frontal crash protection.
abstract: This research investigated (1) what are the key attributes of the between-rail, frontal crash, (2) what are the types of object contacted, and (3) what is the type of resulting trauma. The method was to study with both weighted and in-depth case reviews of NASS-CDS crash data with direct damage between the longitudinal rails in frontal crashes. Individual case selection was limited to belted occupants in between-rail, frontal impacts of good-rated, late-model vehicles equipped with air bags.This paper evaluates the risk of trauma for drivers in cars and LTVs in between-rail, frontal crashes, and suggests the between-rail impact is more dangerous to car drivers. Using weighted data-representing 227,305 tow-away crashes-the resulting trauma to various body regions was analyzed to suggest greatest injury is to the chest, pelvis/thigh/knee/leg, and foot/ankle. This study analyzed the type of object that caused the direct damage between the rails, including small tree or post, large tree or pole, and another vehicle; and found that the struck object was most often another vehicle or a large tree/pole. Both the extent of damage and the occupant compartment intrusion were explored, and suggest that 64% of the serious injuries are associated with increasing intrusion. Individual NASS cases were reviewed to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanical particulars in the between-rail crash.
authors.affiliation: George Washington University, USA.
authors.forename: Richard M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: Chongzhen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.forename: Kennerly H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Digges
authors.forename: Libo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Cing-Dao Steve
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Kan
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D017278:Air Bags; D001336:Automobiles; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D013909:Thorax; D014481:United States; D014947:Wounds and Injuries