THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE OWNER WOULD HAVE EXPECTED THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG TO DEPLOY AND OFFER PROTECTION AGAINST INJURY. DESPITE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE ELANTRA AND THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT (I.E. STEERING WHEEL) AIRBAG, THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE ELANTRA TOOK A DIRECT HIT FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY A 90 DEGREE ANGLE (I.E. IT WAS "T-BONED"). THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT SPUN THE ELANTRA 180 DEGREES FROM THE DIRECTION IT WAS TRAVELING. THE IMPACT BEGINS ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR, BUT IS DEEPEST IN THE BACK-SEAT PASSENGER'S DOOR. THE MAXIMUM DEPTH OF THE INDENTATION IS APPROXIMATELY 6 INCHES INWARD AND IS APPROXIMATELY 20 INCHES WIDE. THE VEHICLE THAT HIT THE ELANTRA WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH.