How Do They Die? Medical-Engineering Data From On-Scene Investigations of Fatal Automobile Accidents

ON-SCENE INVESTIGATIONS OF 104 FATAL ACCIDENTS INVOLVING 136 FATALITIES SHOWED THAT EJECTION FROM THE VEHICLE WAS THE LEADING CAUSE OF THE FATALITIES. THE DATA INDICATE THAT THE MAJORITY OF THESE VICTIMS COULD HAVE SURVIVED BY THE USE OF THE SIMPLE LAP SEAT BELT. TO DECREASE THE NUMBER OF FATAL INJURIES FROM AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENTS, FUTURE DESIGNS OF AUTOMOBILE INTERIORS MUST INCLUDE ADEQUATE CRASH ATTENUATION FEATURES./NSC/