A case of an atypical trajectory of a pedestrian’s body during a collision with the side surface of a car

In recent years, forensic experts have frequently observed injuries during the examination of bodies recovered from the scene of a road traffic accident (RTA) that do not correspond to generally accepted types and patterns of motor vehicle trauma (MVT). An analysis of available forensic literature reveals a lack of studies over the past 20 years devoted to the examination of pedestrian injuries in lateral (tangential, edge) collisions with a vehicle. This article describes a case of a pedestrian colliding with the side of a vehicle, which is atypical in terms of the generally accepted classification and morphology of MVT. A situational forensic examination of a MVT accident involving a pedestrian colliding with the side of a vehicle was conducted. Analysis of video recordings of the accident revealed a much greater variability in MVT mechanisms in collisions between a moving vehicle and a pedestrian than is indicated by currently existing classifications. This issue requires careful study and analysis of other cases with similar patterns of pedestrian movement after a collision with a vehicle.