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There exist two different methods to investigate the injury mechanisms and the tolerance levels, either sled tests or real road traffic accidents. Sled tests conducted at the University of Heidelberg and real accident cases examined by the University of Hannover were compared. The impact conditions of the Heidelberg sled tests were frontal collisions, with an impact velocity (Δv) of 50 km/h and decelerations of 10 g's to 20 g's. Twenty-nine tests with 3-point-belt protected cadavers in the age range 19 to 65 years were included in the Heidelberg collective. The Hannover sample contained 24 frontal accident cases (30 occupants) with a 100% overlap of the car front with the same Δv and average car deceleration range similar as the sled tests, the passenger compartment was only minimal intruded. Three-point belt protected drivers and front passengers in the age range of 18 to 71 years were included in the sample.

220 accidents involving 224 vehicles in a lateral impact were analysed at the site of accident. Patterns and severity of injuries to passengers were analysed. With the help of this systematic analysis it was possible to establish a classification of influential parameters responsible for injuries occurring from a lateral impact. The seating position of the passengers, the vehicle weight, the impact direction, the impact point on the vehicle, use of safety belt, speed reduction of the vehicle at the time of collision as wall as the degree of intrusion into the passenger compartment were included in the evaluation. The study is also of importance for the forensic medicine expert. The data and information can be used to clarify the question of seating positions in accident vehicles as well as the reduction of injury severities by the use of safety belts.

The national accident statistics demonstrate that the situation of passenger car side impacts is dominated by car-to-car accidents. Car side-to-pole impacts are relatively infrequent events but result in disproportionate rates of serious and fatal injuries when compared to those in car-to-car side impact. Hence their importance has been highlighted in recent studies. For the present study two approaches were undertaken to better understand the scenario of car-to-pole impacts in Germany. The German in-depth database GIDAS (German In-Depth-Accident Study) and the UK-based database CCIS (Co-operative Crash Injury Study) were used. The first part or the study is a statistical analysis of passenger car side-to-pole impacts to describe the characteristics and their importance relevant to other types of impact and to gain further knowledge about the main factors influencing the accident outcome.