Fender Vault
Definition
A variant in which the pedestrian contacts the vehicle's fender rather than the front face, resulting in a lateral throw to one side rather than an over-hood trajectory.
- Contact point
- Vehicle fender rather than the front face
- Resulting motion
- Lateral throw to one side
- Contrast
- Differs from an over-hood wrap trajectory
Common questions
How does a fender vault change the injury pattern compared to a wrap trajectory?+
Because the pedestrian is thrown laterally rather than carried up and over the hood, injuries cluster on one side of the body and the final resting position typically ends up off to the side of the vehicle's path rather than ahead of it.
What does a fender vault suggest about the impact geometry?+
It points to an off-center or angled impact where the pedestrian was near the corner of the vehicle rather than squarely in front, which helps investigators reconstruct the vehicle's approach angle and pre-impact position.
Related terms
- Conspicuity
- The degree to which a pedestrian or cyclist is detectable against their background under the prevailing lighting conditions. It governs the detection...
- Head Wrap Distance (HWD)
- The distance along the vehicle's body surface from the primary contact point (usually the bumper) to where the pedestrian's head first contacts...
- Throw Distance
- The horizontal distance from the point of primary vehicle-pedestrian contact to the location where the pedestrian comes to rest. Combined with pedestrian...
- Vault Impact Pattern
- A pedestrian impact sequence typical of high front-end vehicles (SUVs, trucks): the pedestrian is struck in the torso or pelvis, the body...
- Wrap Impact Pattern
- A pedestrian impact sequence typical of passenger cars and low-profile vehicles: the lower limbs are struck, the body rotates forward and upward...