A method for protecting vehicle occupants, occupant protection device and vehicle

The invention relates to a method for the protection of side by side in vehicle seats (2, 3) of a vehicle (1) seated vehicle occupant (4, 5). According to the invention, during or after a sensed lateral collision of the vehicle (1) with an object (O) or when a detected the vehicle (1) forthcoming lateral collision of the vehicle (1) with an object (O) at least one interaction protective element (9) in an inner side wall (2.2, 3.2) of the vehicle seat (2, 3), keeping by the triggered interaction protective element (9) on to a vehicle seat (2, 3) seated vehicle occupant (4, 5) or at least a body portion of this vehicle occupant ( 4, 5) a pulse is applied through which the vehicle occupant (4, 5) or at least a body portion of the vehicle occupants (4, 5) from the (next seated him other vehicle occupant 5, 4) is moved away or a movement of the on the vehicle seat (2, 3) seated vehicle occupant (4, 5) or at least a body portion of the vehicle occupant (4, 5) in the direction of sitting next to him another vehicle occupant (5, 4) is stopped or a minimum path of movement and / or a movement speed of this movement is reduced. Furthermore, the invention relates to an occupant protection device (8) for performing the method and a vehicle (1) with at least one such occupant protection device (8).