Method for detecting collisions for a vehicle, which is executed by a device for detecting collisions, which is arranged in the vehicle, the method comprising: • executing a first collision check by using a computing unit, wherein a check is made as to whether an object from a surrounding area of the vehicle is located within an enveloping area, wherein the enveloping area extends along a section of a movement path of the vehicle, wherein the movement path is provided by a planning algorithm, wherein the enveloping area has a predefined first geometric shape which is chosen such that the vehicle remains within the enveloping area when driving on the section of the movement path, characterized by: • executing a second collision check by using the computing unit if, during the first collision check, it was established that the object from the surrounding area of the vehicle is located within the enveloping area, wherein, during the second collision check, a check is made as to whether the object is located in a partial area belonging to the enveloping area, which defines a subarea of the enveloping area and has a predefined second geometric shape which is chosen and arranged within the enveloping area such that each point of the partial area is located within an enveloping surface which is traversed by the vehicle when driving on the section of the movement path, wherein the partial area is located completely within the enveloping surface, and • executing a third collision check by using the computing unit if, during the second collision check, it was established that no object from the surrounding area of the vehicle is located within the partial area, wherein a check is made as to whether the object is located within the enveloping surface and is thus located at those points within the enveloping area which are traversed by the vehicle when driving on the section of the movement path, wherein an algorithm is executed which, on the basis of a vehicle model of the vehicle, determines whether a collision between the vehicle and the object will occur if the vehicle is moved along the section, • wherein the execution of the second collision check and the execution of the third collision check are skipped if, during the first collision check, it was established that no object from the surrounding area of the vehicle is located within the enveloping area, and • the execution of the third collision check is skipped if, during the second collision check, it was established that an object from the surrounding area of the vehicle is located within the partial area. • executing a first collision check by using a computing unit, wherein a check is made as to whether an object from a surrounding area of the vehicle is located within an enveloping area, wherein the enveloping area extends along a section of a movement path of the vehicle, wherein the movement path is provided by a planning algorithm, wherein the enveloping area has a predefined first geometric shape which is chosen such that the vehicle remains within the enveloping area when driving on the section of the movement path, • executing a second collision check by using the computing unit if, during the first collision check, it was established that the object from the surrounding area of the vehicle is located within the enveloping area, wherein, during the second collision check, a check is made as to whether the object is located in a partial area belonging to the enveloping area, which defines a subarea of the enveloping area and has a predefined second geometric shape which is chosen and arranged within the enveloping area such that each point of the partial area is located within an enveloping surface which is traversed by the vehicle when driving on the section of the movement path, wherein the partial area is located completely within the enveloping surface, and • executing a third collision check by using the computing unit if, during the second collision check, it was established that no object from the surrounding area of the vehicle is located within the partial area, wherein a check is made as to whether the object is located within the enveloping surface and is thus located at those points within the enveloping area which are traversed by the vehicle when driving on the section of the movement path, wherein an algorithm is executed which, on the basis of a vehicle model of the vehicle, determines whether a collision between the vehicle and the object will occur if the vehicle is moved along the section, • wherein the execution of the second collision check and the execution of the third collision check are skipped if, during the first collision check, it was established that no object from the surrounding area of the vehicle is located within the enveloping area, and • the execution of the third collision check is skipped if, during the second collision check, it was established that an object from the surrounding area of the vehicle is located within the partial area.