Device for absorbing lateral forces during a side impact of a motor vehicle

Device for absorbing lateral forces during a side impact of a motor vehicle body in a transverse direction of the motor vehicle body, comprising a transverse bracing component in the motor vehicle body that includes a transversely extending bearing element having opposite left and right ends and supporting elements connected respectively to each end thereof in a region of a B-pillar or a corresponding region of the motor vehicle body, wherein each of the supporting elements is a profile part that projects upward in a vertical plane from sections of the transversely extending bearing element adjacent the respective end thereof and is passed through and mounted in a bracket fixed to the motor vehicle body, each of the supporting elements including horizontal fastening sections operatively associated with the bearing element such that the respective profile part is fastenable to the bearing element, and a free-standing area of each of the profile parts is situated in a pillar space or in a space in a region of the motor vehicle body and projects from the bracket at a distance from an outer side wall of vehicle structure, first and second impact plates covering at least parts of the respective first and second ends of the bearing element and being secured to the respective supporting element at locations between the respective bracket and the respective outer side wall of the vehicle structure.