Frontal Crash Classification and Occupant Outcomes from 2017 to 2023 US Field Cases

This study provides an updated characterization of real-world frontal crash types—considering overlap and obliquity—based on their overall frequency and associated injury outcomes. The results of this study will support an evaluation of how well NHTSA’s frontal oblique crash test condition addresses the current population of serious frontal crashes, as compared to frontal test modes in existing crashworthiness programs. U.S. field crash data from 2017 to 2023 were analyzed to classify frontal crashes by coded damage characteristics. Oblique frontal crashes were defined as those with principal direction of force between 10°–40° and 320°–350°. Non-ejected belted first and second row occupants in model year 2000 and newer passenger vehicles absent a rollover event were included. Occupants were stratified by sex, age, and body mass index, and injury outcomes based on moderate, serious, and fatal thresholds were analyzed across crash configurations. Among the belted first row occupants considered in this study, more than 45% were exposed to oblique crashes while full overlap colinear crashes accounted for 18% of the occupants. Oblique crashes represent a disproportionately large number of AIS 3+ injured and fatal occupants. Older occupants and females showed a trend of higher injury frequency despite less exposure. Full overlap crashes still account for a representative portion of serious injuries among frontal crashes. Limitations include restriction of cases to those with complete vehicle and occupant details. Assessment of impact type was dependent on generic vehicle class-specific reference values. The findings reinforce the enduring relevance of oblique frontal crash conditions which remain a substantial contributor to serious injuries and fatalities, especially for older adults and female occupants.