What occurs during the secondary collisions phase of deceleration?

During the secondary collisions phase of deceleration, occupants are injured primarily through interactions with objects within the vehicle. This can include striking the dashboard, windows, or other passengers due to the abrupt stop caused by a deceleration force. Secondary collisions refer specifically to what happens after the initial impact of the vehicle with another object.

In this context, the vehicle experiences a rapid deceleration, causing the occupants to continue moving forward until they collide with various elements inside the vehicle, which can lead to additional injuries beyond those from the initial crash. The dynamics of a deceleration crash highlight how important it is to wear seatbelts and utilize safety features, as these measures are designed to minimize the risk of injuries from secondary collisions.

Other phases, such as the vehicle striking another object or spinning out of control, relate to the initial impact or loss of vehicle control but do not define the secondary collision effects that occur when occupants face additional hazards in the cabin environment after the vehicle's momentum is halted.