LIVER AND SPLEEN RUPTURES IN AUTHENTIC CAR-TO-CAR SIDE COLLISIONS WITH MAIN IMPACT AT FRONT DOOR OR B-PILLAR

Seventy-nine belt-protected front seat occupants sustained authentic c ar-to-car side collisions with impact at front door or B-pillar in whi ch energy equivalent speed (EES) and delta-V had a highly significant influence on the occurrence of liver and spleen ruptures. From an EES greater-than-or-equal-to 40 km/h the risk of suffering liver and splee n injuries proved to be much higher for occupants on the impact side. Drivers on the impact side often had combined liver and spleen rupture s, front seat passengers had only liver ruptures and combined liver an d spleen ruptures. The number of rib fractures on the left or right ha d a highly significant influence on the occurrence of liver and spleen ruptures. Liver ruptures and combined liver and spleen ruptures were often combined with pelvic ruptures.