How is biomechanics used to study injuries in vehicle collisions?

In the context of human-factors engineering and bioengineering, biomechanics is essential for understanding and preventing injuries during vehicle collisions. By applying the principles of mechanics—which study the effects of forces on bodies—researchers can analyze how physical impacts affect human anatomy and physiology.1

Biomechanics is used to study both low-speed collisions, which may result in minor soft-tissue injuries, and high-speed collisions, which often involve severe or fatal trauma. This research informs the design of safety systems by:1

• Analyzing Impact Forces: Engineers use biomechanical data to understand how forces are transmitted to occupants, allowing for the development of interior-impact energy-absorbing devices, such as energy-absorbing steering columns and specialized instrument panels.2
• Optimizing Restraint Systems: Research helps design systems like lap and shoulder belts and air bags, which are engineered to couple occupants with the vehicle during deceleration, preventing "free flight" into the car structure.2
• Structural Design: Biomechanical insights guide the creation of exterior-impact energy absorbers, such as chassis elements designed to buckle in a controlled manner, thereby reducing the force experienced by occupants during a crash.2