Abstract
Introduction
Investigating biomechanics of injury patterns from motor vehicle collisions (MVCs)
informs improvements in vehicle safety. This study aims to investigate two-vehicle
MVCs involving a passenger car and specific injury patterns associated with sources
of injury, collision biomechanics, vehicle properties, and patient outcomes.
Methods
Retrospective cohort study conducted to evaluate the biomechanics of specific injury
patterns seen in MVCs involving passenger cars using the Crash Injury Research Engineering
Network database between the years 2005 and 2015.
Results
A total of 631 MVC cases were included from 2005 to 2015. The majority of cases involved
injuries to the head or neck, the thorax, and the abdomen (80.5%). Head/neck injuries
from the steering wheel were associated with significantly higher injury severity
score compared to those from seatbelts (26.11 versus 18.28, P < 0.001) and airbags (26.11 versus 20.10, P = 0.006), as well as a >6-fold higher fatality rate (P = 0.019). Thoracic injuries caused by the center console were twice as likely to
be fatal than those caused by the seatbelt (P = 0.09).
Conclusions
Occupants suffering injuries to the head/neck, the thorax, and the abdomen had higher
injury severity score and fatality rates compared to other body regions, demonstrating
that manufacturing and safety guidelines should focus on minimizing these injury patterns.
Head/neck injuries caused by the steering wheel were associated with worse outcomes
compared to those caused by seatbelts and airbags, further emphasizing the benefits
of these critical safety features. Integration of innovative safety features like
center-mounted airbags may improve occupant safety.
Graphical abstract
Graphical Abstract
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: September 30, 2022
Accepted:
August 21,
2022
Received in revised form:
July 28,
2022
Received:
March 18,
2022
Identification
Copyright
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