Described is a system for prediction and active compensation of occupant motor response in a vehicle accident. The system uses a spinal reflex model to generate a stimulus based on an accident scenario of an occupant in a vehicle, the stimulus being a set of proprioceptive signals induced by the accident scenario. A neuromuscular model then determines activation and contraction dynamics based on the stimulus. The activation and contraction dynamics represent muscle contraction forces spanning a skeletal system of the occupant. A musculoskeletal model then generates a predicted motor response of the occupant based on the activation and contraction dynamics. The predicted motor response can be used for a variety of purposes, such as initiating active compensation in a vehicle or modifying airline cabin design parameters to decrease the likelihood of injury to the occupant.