INTRODUCTION In passenger car-to-adult pedestrian accidents, the head injuries attract particular attention due to the severe or fatal consequences. Many studies have been carried out in this area but the injury mechanisms and the tolerances of brain remain controversial. This study presents an approach to investigate the skull-brain injury mechanisms by using a MBS pedestrian model and a head FE model. Furthermore, the acquired knowledge will be used to improve the car safety design for protection of pedestrian head injuries.