Collision Dynamics and Injury Causation in Motorcycle Accidents

Injury mechanisms in motorcycle accidents were related to a kinematic classification, and an in depht study of injury mechanisms in 23 motorcycle crash victims who sustained AIS-4-5-6 lesions to the neck and chest was performed. It appears that the most severe injuries result from the dynamics of the motorcycle in which, during the impact, the rear wheel leaves the ground, with a characteristic forward pitch. In order to develop further protection for motorcyclists, evaluation of the concept of a high energy absorbing structure to reduce the pitch in frontal impacts, and provide “ridedown” for the rider is proposed.