Vehicle Size and Speed Quote

“Acceleration depends on the force applied and the inertia of the vehicle that has been struck. The force is dependent upon the weight and speed of the striking vehicle, so that a streetcar traveling as 3 mph can apply as much force and initiate the same degree of acceleration as a compact car traveling at 40 mph.”

Ian Macnab

Associate Professor of Surgery, University of Toronto
Chief of Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, WellesleyHospital, Toronto.

“Acceleration Extension Injuries of the Cervical Spine” Chapter 10 in THE SPINE by Rothman and Simeone.

WB Saunders Company, 1982, Page 648

Vehicle Damage v. Passenger Injury

“The amount of damage sustained by the car bears little relationship to the force applies. To take an extreme example: If the car was struck in concrete, the damage sustained might be very great but the occupants would not be injured because the car could not move forward, whereas, on inc, the damage to the car could be slight but the injuries sustained might be severe because of the rapid accelerations permitted.”

Ian Macnab

Associate Professor of Surgery, University of Toronto
Chief of Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, WellesleyHospital, Toronto.

“Acceleration Extension Injuries of the Cervical Spine” Chapter 10 in THE SPINE by Rothman and Simeone.

WB Saunders Company, 1982, Page 648