People involved in rear-end accidents may experience whiplash. Injuries caused by whiplash include torn neck muscles, tendons, ligaments, and concussions. Whiplash injuries may not be apparent right way. Some people may experience neck pain, dizziness, blurred vision or headaches hours after a crash. Others may not show symptoms for several days.
Consumer Reports, a nonprofit dedicated to consumer safety, suggests there are several steps you can take to prevent whiplash during an accident. The first step is to ensure your car seat’s headrest can protect you against whiplash. An Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) study claims many vehicles made before 2009 offer poor protection against whiplash during rear-end accidents.
The IIHS study claims between 2004 and 2005, almost 50 percent of head-restraints were labeled “poor.” Only 12 percent were rated “good.” In 2005, federal standards required automakers to set minimum heights for head restraints. These rules also set the maximum distance allowed between headrests and a person’s head. Automakers did not finish phasing in these new standards until 2009.
Headrests need to be properly adjusted to prevent whiplash. Your car seat’s headrest should reach the top of your head. If your headrest cannot extend that far, try adjusting it to reach the top of your ears. Head restraints should be a maximum of 4 inches away from your head. To prevent whiplash, adjust your headrest so it is as close to your head as possible.
Other tips for preventing whiplash include wearing your seat belt, checking the crash rating of your vehicle beforehand, sitting upright and avoiding tailgating.
What Should You Do if You Experience Whiplash During a Car Accident?
If you are involved in a car accident, seek immediate medical attention. Avoid discussing details with insurance adjusters after an accident. Remember, injuries caused by whiplash may take several days to materialize, and could require more medical care than initially thought. In some cases, whiplash injuries cause long-term problems that could make it difficult to return to your occupation.