A study of head–brain injuries in car-to-pedestrian crashes with reconstructions using in-depth accident data in China

Abstract

The objective of the present work was to study the dynamic responses and head–brain injuries in car-to-pedestrian collisions via accident reconstructions. Six pedestrian accident cases were used in the reconstructions using mathematical models of the pedestrians and passenger vehicles. The cases were selected from an in-depth analysis of accident data collected through on-the-spot and retrospective investigations and documented in a database in China. The six selected cases provided sufficient data for reconstructions, including details on pedestrian injuries, accident cars, road fixtures and the environment. The reconstruction results were compared with observations and measurements in accident investigations. The correlation of calculated dynamic parameters with registered severity of head–brain injury was analysed and realised. The results provided background knowledge for the prediction of head–brain injury and the development of pedestrian protection countermeasures.