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The body or chassis of the modern motor vehicle is still fundamentally and commonly designed on the horse and cart concept. This solid chassis, upon which the cart was built, offers little or no crushing zone effect in the event the motor vehicle and its occupants are subject to an impact due to a collision. Although we see an array of modern motor vehicle safety devices, injury and fatalities are still appearing at an alarming rate, some directly due to these safety devices. This paper attempts to present a synergistic approach to motor vehicle safety. One of the most important safety features that has been overlooked by most automobile manufacturers is a uniform crushing zone on bumper areas. It appears at present and possibly in the future that crushing zones on bumper areas have been and will be neglected. Thus a fundamental safety principle that could be used to prevent injury and fatalities in automobile accidents will be neglected.

A common misconception formulated is that the amount of vehicle crash damage due to a collision, offers a direct correlation to the degree of occupant injury. This paper explores this concept and explains why it is false reasoning. Explanations with supporting data are set forth to show how minor vehicle damage can relate or even be the major contributing factor to occupant injury. Mathematical equations and models also support these findings.