Low velocity impact, vehicular damage and passenger injury.

Low velocity motor vehicle accidents are a source of injury to many people every year, but the existence of these injuries is often challenged in the courts. The question raised is: "If the vehicle did not suffer any damage, how could the occupant become injured?" This paper reviews the pertinent literature and explains the mechanism of injury. The factors influencing the probability of injury are discussed. Fallacies of research methodology are explored as they relate to "real" victims.