Automobile Occupant Injuries from Striking the Windshield

摘要

Facial lacerations resulting from head-to-glass impacts against newer (post-1965) automobile windshields are fewer, less extensive, and less severe than those caused by similar impacts against the pre-1966 windshields. When the thinner laminate of the pre-1966 windshield was impacted by the head, slicing lacerations were typically found. Head impact to the new windshield typically produces abrasions or small lacerations of the forehead which do not require sutures. Only rarely is the post-1965 laminated windshield perforated, and the head-to-glass impact speed required is more than double that required to perforate the pre-1966 thin-laminate windshield. The newer windshield appears to be accomplishing its objectives of reducing head penetration and facial lacerations without increasing neck or intercranial injuries. When these injuries were noted, they were minor in extent, and very few neck pain complaints or intracranial injuries were found that could be related to the windshield glass impact alone. (Author)