How to prevent whiplash

Whiplash is an unfortunate injury for many different reasons:

1. it’s extremely painful,
2. juries and insurance adjusters many times are unwilling to compensate for the injury because they either don’t believe the Plaintiff’s description of the injury or don’t understand it, and
3. it’s a nagging injury that is slow to go away and quick to resurface when doing the most mundane tasks.

Whiplash is the unavoidable snapping back of a person’s head during a motor vehicle collision. Avoiding whiplash can be impossible, but there are several things you can do that will minimize your chances of getting a whiplash injury in a car accident, and minimizing the injury itself if you get whiplash.

When selecting a vehicle, most people consider a car’s safety features. When doing so, be sure to prioritize a vehicle that has a functional head restraint/headrest. The headrest should be positioned so that the top of it is at least the height of the top of your head. This will allow the headrest to “catch” your head when it recoils off of the airbag and your body is restrained by the seatbelt. If the headrest is too short, your head is more likely to become injured by snapping back over the headrest, causing more severe injuries.

In the event you are in a collision where whiplash is a possibility, seek medical attention immediately. Many times, whiplash will not appear for hours or days after the collision. Additionally, place an icepack on your neck to reduce swelling (and pain). A neck brace will add support and minimize the movement of a sore neck. A local and reputable chiropractor can provide treatment to help return your neck injury to normal (or maximize the improvement).

Performing these steps can save your life and can minimize the possibility of a car accident permanently changing your life. The lawyers at the Harrelson Law Firm in Arkansas remind you to always drive safely and defensively.

Steve Harrelson is an attorney licensed to practice law in Arkansas, Texas, and Louisiana, and his office is based in Little Rock, Arkansas.