A good car seat can help prevent whiplash in babies

Research shows that more than half of car seats available on the market are not built to prevent whiplash. And it's not just drivers who suffer as a reuslt. Whiplash can affect anybody in the car and that often includes babies. Read more about what whiplash is.

Neck injuries sustained in a car crash happen frequently and can be expensive in terms of treatment required after the crash. Taking steps to ensure the neck and spine of all occupants are protected as much as possible and focusing on prevention procedures makes absolute sense for the whole family. Read more about preventing a whiplash injury.

Whiplash and baby seats
Babies have heavy heads that make them vulnerable to whiplash in the event of a crash and a rear-facing car seat is essential to support an infant's head and spine and prevent whiplash.

The LaRoche Bear Booster Car Seat is rear-facing and reinforced with energy-absorbing foam which aids in whiplash prevention and has large wings to keep a child in place.

During a car crash, a baby will be pitched forward. The risk of neck injuries and whiplash may increase if it is in a front-facing baby seat as its head will be forced to move forwards quickly. Rear facing seats move a baby forward with the car, instead of against.

Specialist orthopaedic cushions can now be purchased that line a car seat and support the neck and spine while driving. They can also reduce a whiplash injury after a car accident. Ergonomically designed, the cushions follow the spinal curve and encourage a relaxed sitting posture reducing neck pain, low back pain, tension and fatigue. Padded headrests also absorb shock and pressure and prevent bounce.

A seatbelt that tilts forward on a baby's seat to reduce movement and bounce is also important as it gives extra protection to prevent the baby's head and neck from snapping back.

Front airbags should never be used with rear-facing infant seats. This is because if the airbag inflates it will push the infant seat into the vehicle seat, which can crush or suffocate a baby. Despite this fact, many parents still place a rear-facing infant seat in the front of the car so they can see their child and check that they are okay.

However, this practice is much more dangerous than keeping a baby in the back seat. To avoid whiplash, parents should always keep their child in a rear-facing seat, in the back seat.

Making a whiplash claim
The health of your neck and spine is extremely important and a whiplash injury can not only affect your physical movement, but also your emotions, your neurological state and your ability to function on a daily basis.

If you have been affected by a whiplash injury and believe you are entitled to compensation after a non- fault car accident, we can help.

Our personal injury solicitors are first rate and have an excellent success rate. You will not have to pay a penny for your personal injury claim whatever the outcome - guaranteed.

Call us now on 0800 10 757 95 and we will take you step-by-step through the whiplash injury claims process.