Occupant Injuries in Rear-End Collisions Considering Overlap and Oblique Collisions

Dooruh Choi; Oh Hyun Kim; Yeon Il Choo; Chan Young Kang; Dong Gu Kang; Jin Ho Yu; Jinil Chang; Kang Hyun Lee

doi:10.22680/kasa2025.17.3.032

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2025 Vol.17, Issue 3 Preview Page Next Page

Occupant Injuries in Rear-End Collisions Considering Overlap and Oblique Collisions 후방추돌 겹침량과 충돌각도 차이에 따른 탑승자 손상 특성

30 September 2025. pp. 32-38

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Abstract

As automobiles have developed and seating arrangements have diversified, there has been a need to enhance occupant safety by evaluating the impact from the rear of the occupant. This study examines the effect of vehicle characteristics and collision types (overlap and oblique) in rear-end collisions on occupant injury risk. The Korean In-Depth Accident Study (KIDAS) database was used for this research and the total number of data used for the study is 472. Variables included sex, age, vehicle type, seatbelt usage, seating position, collision objects, and crash mode. The crash modes were classified into six types based on the combination of three overlap categories—small overlap, large overlap, and full overlap—and two oblique: perpendicular collisions and oblique collisions relative to the rear of the vehicle. Injuries were assessed using the AIS and ISS. Compared to regular vehicles, collisions with large vehicles increased the risk of ISS9+ injuries by 2.17 times, c-spine injuries by 0.60 times, thoracic injuries by 4.11 times, and abdominal injuries by 3.04 times. Compared to small-overlap perpendicular collisions, full-overlap oblique collisions increased the risk of ISS9+ injuries by 5.40 times, thoracic injuries by 23.09 times, and abdominal injuries by 6.75 times, while large-overlap oblique collisions increased the odds ratio of c-spine injuries by 3.44 times. Occupants seated in the front passenger seat had a 0.46 times lower risk of head injuries compared to the driver. Compared to sedans, light trucks had a 4.01 times higher risk of ISS9+ injuries and a 5.09 times higher risk of head injuries. Seatbelt unfastening increased the risk of head injuries by 4.12 times, thoracic injuries by 6.87 times, and abdominal injuries by 2.95 times. The results of this study are intended to serve as a reference for expanding the evaluation scope of occupants safety tests and for improving safety measures.

Keywords

Rear-end collision(후방추돌)

Occupant injury(탑승자 손상)

Injury mechanism(손상기전)

Overlap(겹침량)

Oblique collision(경사충돌)

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Information

Publisher :Korean Auto-vehicle Safety Association
Publisher(Ko) :한국자동차모빌리티안전학회
Journal Title :Journal of Auto-vehicle Safety Association
Journal Title(Ko) :자동차안전학회지
Volume : 17
No :3
Pages :32-38
Received Date : 2025-01-17
Revised Date : 2025-06-04
Accepted Date : 2025-06-05
DOI :https://doi.org/10.22680/kasa2025.17.3.032

Journal of Auto-vehicle Safety Association ISSN:2005-9396(Print) 자동차안전학회지

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