An exterior lateral side rail in the area of a passenger compartment is adjoined in the forward structure and/or rearward structure of a vehicle by additional side rails which, in particular, are provided with a right-angle bend. Elements that reinforce the vehicle body are connected with the side rails at one end of the elements, and with an underbody or underbody components at the other end of the elements. The reinforcing elements include a first V-shaped strutting which extends in an approximately horizontal plane in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and which is connected with a second V-shaped strutting which is arranged in an approximately perpendicular transverse plane. By its free ends, the first strutting is fastened to the side rails and, by its opposite ends, it is fastened to the second strutting at a common connection area. The second strutting is supported by its free ends on the side rails.