The potential for death or serious injury is greatest in which type of motor vehicle collision?

Ejection from a vehicle is considered to have the highest potential for death or serious injury due to several critical factors. When a person is ejected, they are no longer protected by the vehicle’s safety features, such as seat belts, airbags, and the structural integrity of the vehicle during a crash. This exposure significantly increases the risk of severe trauma from multiple impacts, including hitting the road, other vehicles, or stationary objects, as well as greater susceptibility to secondary injuries, such as those resulting from being struck by other vehicles.

The physics of ejection plays a significant role here; occupants can be thrown from the vehicle at high speeds, leading to injuries that are often catastrophic. The lack of restraints also increases the likelihood of a person being ejected in more violent collisions.

In comparison, while side impact collisions can be serious and rear-end collisions can cause whiplash or other injuries, ejection from a vehicle results in a higher incidence of mortality and severe outcomes largely due to the lack of protection. Similarly, single-vehicle rollovers can also be dangerous, but typically, those who remain inside the vehicle while it rolls have a better chance of survival than those who are ejected. Therefore, the risk factor associated with ejection stands out as the