Factors affecting the chance of developing a whiplash injury

There are many factors that play a part in whether or not someone involved in a car accident will develop whiplash. Physical characteristics, the way the accident occurred, and the safety features employed in the car are just some of the variables that are involved in determining how whiplash injuries occur.

Age and gender
Researchers have discovered that women are around twice as likely as men to develop Whiplash-Associated Disorders. The reasons for this are numerous and much discussed, although it is generally accepted that the fact that women have weaker neck muscles than men may well make them more vulnerable to whiplash-type injuries.

Women with the greatest chance of developing a Whiplash-Associated Disorder are those who are tall and aged between 20 and 50. The effect of age on the likelihood of sustaining a whiplash injury is debated. Some researchers believe those in middle age are most at risk, whilst others claim older drivers have a greater chance.

Safety features
Seat belts have saved hundreds of thousands of lives since they were introduced as a mandatory feature in cars in the 1980s. Although they are very adept at preventing serious personal injury, they are also considered to increase the risk of a whiplash neck injury. One reason that has been suggested for this effect is that because they prevent the body from moving, seat belts increase the amount of force under which the neck is put. However, it must be stressed that seat belts do far more good than harm.

Proper use of the head restraint has been proven to significantly reduce the chance of whiplash injuries if set in the correct position. When Saab installed an active head restraint system in their cars, they saw a 43% fall in the number of whiplash-type injuries that their customers were sustaining. However, many people fail to set their head restraints to the right height and tilt and as a result do not receive the potential protection that they offer. An incorrectly positioned head restraint does little to reduce the likelihood of developing a whiplash injury. Read about prevention of whiplash injuries.

Passengers
The position in which a person is sitting in the car when the accident occurs can also have an effect on whether they develop a whiplash neck injury. It has been discovered that in a rear-end collision, front seat passengers are by far the most at risk of it, whilst rear seat passengers have a much lower chance.

Drivers also have a lower likelihood of sustaining Whiplash-Associated Disorders than front seat passengers. It is thought to be that this is because the driver has more chance of noticing the impending collision and preparing for it. It seems to be the case that if a person is unaware that the accident is about to take place, they will have a greater chance of sustaining a whiplash neck injury.

The angle at which the collision takes place is thought to play a part in whether occupants of the cars are going to sustain whiplash. Rear-end car accidents account for 43% of whiplash injuries, whilst head on collisions represent 32% and side on crashes represent 35%. These different types of collision can cause different types of Whiplash-Associated Disorders. Read explanations of Whiplash-Associated Disorders.

Claiming compensation
If you have sustained a Whiplash-Associated Disorder, we may be able to help you get compensation. Our personal injury solicitors have years of experience in whiplash cases of all types and severities so you can have confidence you will have the very best person representing you in your claim.

We pride ourselves on being able to help our customers without charging them a penny. Our solicitors work on a no win, no fee basis and we will protect you from legal costs. This means that no matter what the outcome of your compensation claim, you will not owe anything to us or anyone else.

If you wish to find out more about making a claim for a Whiplash-Associated Disorder, please telephone 0800 10 757 95 or fill in an online claim form and we will call you back.