If you are in an RTA is it better to collide with the other vehicle head-on or corner-to-corner?

Question

Which are you more likely to be less seriously injured, assuming that the speed of the vehicles is the same in both?

Answer 1

I believe head-on would be preferable as more of the force of the impact would be absorbed faster.

Answer 2

Unusual question admittedly but it varies really,Head on will slow that car faster because of the inertia being stressed across the whole front of the car but then you would have hopped if it was a corner to corner then in the process of the impact the cars were pushed away from each other and take longer to absorb the impact

Answer 3

It probably depends on the cars in question, and the speed of the accident, as well as the number and position of occupants in each car.

If there is only a driver in each car, the safest would probably be an off-set passenger-side to passenger-side collision.
However, if there is a front-seat passenger in either vehicle, it might be best to spread the crash energy across the full vehicle structure (i.e. head-on).

Answer 4

I would say a corner to corner impact would be beneficial as the cars will spin away from each other (most likely) which will help to disperse a lot of the energy. Factor in that fact that modern cars have crumple zones to aid in the dissipation of the energy from the impact and you should be fine.
If the crash was head on, both cars would just stop dead and would therefore have to rely on the cars design to protect you.
That said....I'm no expert on this and I'd personally recommend not crashing. ;-)

Answer 5

A strange question indeed, but a good one too.

I would assume that head on would cause the cars to stop quicker, but as the nurse said, depends on may factors.

My advice....

Walk and leave the crazy crashing dudes to find out for themselves, lol

Answer 6

Whenever I am aiming at another car I always try and hit it corener to corner, especially on the passenger side...my wife is starting to get suspicious now.

Answer 7

as an emergency nurse I can tell you it is impossible to say.
It depends on a variety of factors, including seat belts, air bags, angle of impact, numbe rof passenger, condition of tyres, speed and weight of vehicles....