Transportation Case Overviews

A description of six vehicular accident scenarios and some of the related issues:

1. Vehicle vs. Pedestrian (or Bicyclist)
2. Side Impact Collision
3. Frontal Collision
4. Rollover with Ejection
5. High Speed Rear End Impact
6. Low Speed Rear End Impact

Scenario 1: Vehicle vs. Pedestrian (or Bicyclist)

An automobile struck a pedestrian who sustained serious injuries.

Issues:

• What was the orientation of the pedestrian?
  
• How were the injuries sustained?
  
• What was the speed of the automobile prior to impact?
  
• If the victim had been a bicyclist, would a helmet have prevented or mitigated ahead injury?
  

Scenario 2: Side Impact Collision

This automobile was struck on the driver’s side by another traveling at high speed. The driver sustained serious injuries. The right front passenger received only minor injuries

Issues:

• How did the use or non-use of restraints affect the potential for injury?
  
• Did the presence or absence of any vehicle safety features affect the injuries?
  

Scenario 3: Frontal Collision

This automobile was struck head-on by another traveling at high speed. The driver sustained minor injuries. The right front passenger received severe injuries. A child in a child safety seat in the rear was ejected and received severe injuries.

Issues:

• Which occupants were using seat belts?
  
• Would the use of restraints or the presence of air bags change the injuries received?
  
• Was the child properly restrained? If not, would a properly used child restraintsystem have altered the injuries?
  

Scenario 4: Rollover with Ejection

This vehicle with four occupants rolled over. Two of the occupants were ejected and received fatal injuries. The other two occupants received moderate injuries.

Issues:

• Did the use or non-use of restraints affect the injury occurrence or severity?
  
• Is ejection related to injury severity and the use of restraints?
  
• What role does roof crush play in injury causation?
  

Scenario 5: High Speed Rear End Impact

This car was struck from the rear by a truck traveling at a high speed. The driver of the struck car sustained a neck fracture with quadriplegia, and there was evidence of seat back deformation.

Issues:

• What is the usual mechanism of neck injury in this situation?
  
• What role would seat deformation play in injury causation?
  
• Would use or non-use of restraints affect injury causation?
  

Scenario 6: Low Speed Rear End Impact

This automobile was struck from the rear by another at a low speed. The driver of the struck car reported headaches, neck pain, and back pain.

Issues:

• What are the expected motions of the injured driver?
  
• Would the use or non-use of seat belts affect the injury potential?
  
• What injuries might be expected to a driver without pre-existing medical problems;
• with pre-existing medical problems?