Method and apparatus for detecting a collision, and its differentiation from regular driving operation

A method for detecting a collision of a vehicle (25) by the vehicle (25) rigidly connected measuring instrument (20), having the following features: regarding a plurality of related to the measuring instrument (20) device coordinate axes (X, Y, Z) is measured in each case an acceleration of the measuring device (20), regarding a plurality of related to the vehicle (25) vehicle coordinate axes (x, y, z) is in each case a mounting position angle (α β, γ) of the measuring device (20) is calculated and / or measured and / or programmed by the outside based on the installation position angle (α, β, γ), a vehicle acceleration along the vehicle coordinate axes (x, y, z) is determined and an assessment of the accelerations carried out (17) and determining degree of the installation position is determined by the device and used for the weighting of the acceleration. based on the evaluation (18, Y) of the vehicle acceleration, the collision is detected (19).