SIDE IMPACTS OF PASSENGER CARS: AN ANALYSIS OF FARS AND NCSS DATA

The report is one of a series devoted to the subject of side impacts as observed in several sets of available accident data. In this report, major use is made of both the Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS) and the National Crash Severity Study (NCSS) to estimate the frequency and severity of side impacts to passenger cars. The report discusses side impacts of passenger cars and makes many comparisons between side impacts and all other collision types. Side impacts of passenger cars produce higher injury rates than do other impacts. Occupant ejection in side impacts is relatively frequent, and highly associated with injury and fatality.