Based on the occupant injury severity in side pole impact, this paper conducted a computer simulation study on the side pole impact of a passenger car. The injury criterion and parameters of dummy, the side structure deformation and acceleration of the car body were thoroughly analyzed in terms of the crash characteristics of the car in side pole impact. The countermeasures for improving the strength of the door-sill-beam and the floor cross member were presented. Simulation results have shown that the side pole impact increases occupant injury risk and makes more intrusion on the side structure of the body, compared with car to barrier side impact. The passenger car safety performance can be improved in side pole impact by strengthening the door-sill-beam and the floor cross member. 