Accident Reconstruction Journal · 2013 · 18 citations · 0 references
Public HealthAutomotive EngineeringInjury PreventionCrashworthinessRisk AssessmentVehicle Safety EngineeringExtremity TraumaInjury EpidemiologyInjury RiskMotor Vehicle Injury PreventionTraffic Injury PreventionTraffic SafetyCrash Injury MechanismsCrash Injury SeverityCrashworthiness TestingFrontal Crash SafetyInjury Risk AssessmentLower Extremity Injury BiomechanicsMotor Vehicle Crash Injury PreventionVehicle Crash Dynamics
In this paper, the author examines the potential causal factors associated with risk of moderate or severe lower extremity injuries in frontal crashes. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of intrusion. The study uses passenger vehicle crash data from a subset of the National Automotive Sampling System - Crashworthiness Data System (NASS-CDS) sample from 1997-2009. Findings support the hypothesis that more intrusion is likely to contribute to more leg injuries. In addition, the presence of instrument panel or knee bolster instrusion is associated with a higher percentage of drivers with upper leg injuries, though the relationship between the amount of intrusion and the risk of injury is less clear.