Causes of whiplash injuries

Whiplash injuries are caused when there is a sudden change in speed and the head quickly snaps backwards and forwards. Whiplash-type injuries are most commonly caused by car accidents when one car collides with another and there is a sudden acceleration or deceleration.

As a result of whiplash, ligaments in the neck may be stretched or torn and in some cases fractures in the vertebrae can occur.

Rear-end car accidents

The most common cause of whiplash is a rear-end car accident. 43% of all people who attend hospital with whiplash-type injuries report a rear-end car crash as the cause.

Head-on car crashes

Head-on car crashes account for 32% of whiplash-type injuries on the road. The effect of a head-on car crash are the same as a rear end crash but reversed. The head of the occupant will be thrown forwards then backwards due to the velocity transfer at the other end of the car.

Side-on accidents

The remaining 35% of road accidents that result in a whiplash neck sprain are side-on and other types of accidents. In a side on collision, the head will at first be thrown towards the side of impact and then away.

Other causes of a whiplash injury

Although the most common, car accidents are not the only way that a person can sustain whiplash injuries. Any situation in which there is an abrupt change of velocity and little or no protection for the neck gives potential for a whiplash injury.

People that play sports, especially contact sports such as rugby and football are at risk of suffering a whiplash sprain. A whiplash injury could be caused by a tackle at speed or an awkward landing.

How to claim compensation

Whiplash injuries are suffered by thousands of people in the UK. Many of these people suffer whiplash through a car accident due to no fault of their own.

If you have suffered a whiplash injury and you were either a driver or passenger in a car crash, Oscar Hamilton are here to help.

We are experts in whiplash-associated injuries and are here to provide you with the best representation for your case. No win, no fee compensation means if your case isn’t successful, you pay nothing.