Apparatus and method for increasing the occupant protection in a vehicle during a side impact

Disclosed is a device and method for a motor vehicle occupant protection during a side impact or a side impact similar collision in which an energy input substantially acts on a door area of ​​the motor vehicle side, wherein a vehicle seat is located on the side opposite to the energy input side of the motor vehicle door, with at least one motor vehicle door against a substantially acting on the vehicle door side of energy stabilizing unit including at least the motor vehicle door provides an internally projecting through the side impact support of the surrounding in case of collision with at least two support areas within the motor vehicle door stable body areas in operative connection occurs. The invention is characterized in that the side impact girder and / or the support portions within the area surrounding the motor vehicle door body portion provides an actuator at least or provide activatable by controlled delivery a body independent of the originating due to the collision energy input form of energy and the operative connection between the induces controlled side impact beams and support areas.