Method for determining the severity of an impact of a motor vehicle with an object

The method involves receiving data which contains (S10) information over an actual driving situation of a motor vehicle. The data is tested, whether an unavoidable collision of the motor vehicle is imminent (S12) with an object. A heaviness of the unavoidable collision of the motor vehicle is determined (S22) with the object according to the predetermined size. An evaluation on a data processing unit is realized (S14) for projecting a size after the insertion of the collision. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a method for triggering a restraining device of a motor vehicle; and (2) a motor vehicle with a motor vehicle occupant-protection syste.