Whiplash: The Most Common Car Crash Injury

By far the most common injury resulting from a car crash is strain/sprain of the neck, commonly known as whiplash. The injury occurs to a person’s neck from a sudden acceleration force throwing the head and neck into a hyperflexed position. When a person is involved in a rear or side impact car crash, the car seat pushes the person’s torso forward and the unrestrained neck and head fall backwards. Shortly thereafter, the head and neck are thrown into the hyperflexed position.

Crash dummy studies show that this force causes the upper bones in the neck to be in a hyperextended position, while the lower neck bones are in a hyperflexed position. This injury often appears on x-rays as an abnormal S-shape in the cervical spine. What cannot be visualized is the damage to the soft tissues (muscles and ligaments) that hold the cervical vertebrae together.

Whiplash symptoms include neck pain and stiffness, headache, shoulder and upper back pain and dizziness which can develop immediately or up to 72 hours after the accident. Most whiplash cases are relatively minor but the more serious can lead to chronic symptoms. Typical treatment includes examination, x-rays or MRI testing, physical therapy, pain and anti-inflammatory medication, cervical collar, range of motion exercises and application of ice to the affected area.

While we cannot prevent becoming the victim of a car crash, we can take some preventative measures to lessen the effects of whiplash in the event it happens to us. First, always wear a seat belt to restrain movement of the body if a car crash occurs. Secondly, position your headrest directly behind the head so hyperextension is minimized. The headrest should be no more than 2 inches behind the back of the head. Thirdly, your seat should be positioned so that your knees are bent at a 30 to 45 degree angle toward the pedals and your hips are even with or higher than your knees. Finally, make sure your airbags are properly maintained and operational.

So, take precautions before you get behind the wheel and be careful out there. If you are unfortunate enough to be the victim of a car crash, seek immediate medical attention and document your injuries. An experienced personal injury attorney can advise you on the legal aspects of your accident.