Deformation element for occupant protection in a motor vehicle, comprising a pot-shaped hollow profile section (17, 19) with a side wall (21) arranged at least partially rotationally symmetrically about the pot axis (A), a pot bottom side (23) facing away from the
crash, and a top side (25) facing the
crash, wherein the side wall (21) of the pot-shaped hollow profile section (17, 19) has at least one
helical structure (27, 28, 29), characterized in that the
helical structure (27, 28, 29) formed in the side wall (21) is truss-like with struts (31) and intermediate openings (33), and that the struts (31) are tilted with respect to the pot axis (A) by an
angle of attack (α1, α2, α3), such that the pot-shaped hollow profile section (17, 19) deforms upon application of a force (F) in the direction the pot axis (A) under a torsional movement (II) a , II b , II c ) the side wall (21) is deformed.