My guess is that because:

1. The hondas in both accidents absorbed energy by themselves deforming in the collision.
2. The speeds involved were (relatively) slow.
3. Both cars were in motion and therefore the impact angle and durations were spread out along a larger area of the car.

The side impact sensors did not deploy the airbags.

I imagine that if you were to hit a rigid, immovable object sideways at 30mph, the airbags would have gone off.

In any case, Wedge, glad to hear that you and your wife made it out OK. I hope that you both will be able to iron out the financial aspects and be back on the road. God Bless!