A lateral protection for motor vehicles in which at least one reinforcement extending essentially in the vehicle longitudinal direction is arranged on the inside of each door, whereby in case of an external force influence or action which occurs in the vehicle longitudinal direction the reinforcements, preferably constructed as hollow bearers, are supported in the vehicle longitudinal direction with one end each either directly or indirectly at a fixed structural part such as, for example, at an upright column or at a wheel casing or at a further reinforcement belonging to an adjacent door.