Why Middle Backseat Passengers Are at High Risk for Whiplash After a Rear-End Collision
When people think about car accident safety, they often focus on seatbelts and airbags. However, in a rear-end collision, there is another critical safety device that protects you from suffering long-term neck trauma, which is the headrest.
Most people know that they need to adjust the driver’s headrest. However, most of them forget the back seat especially the middle seat.
Why the Headrest Matters for Your Neck in car accidents
Recently, a patient visited our Richmond Hill clinic following a rear-end collision. At the moment of the impact, he was sitting in the middle backseat. Like in many vehicles, the center headrest was pushed all the way down.
When the vehicle was struck from behind, his body was suddenly pushed forward and his neck whipped violently backward.
Because of the headrest was not raised, there was nothing to stop his head from snapping backward and caused him suffer a soft tissue strain in his neck along with restricted joint movement in the upper spine.
What happens to your neck in a rear-end collision
When a vehicle is hit from behind, your body is pushed forward with the seat, but your head lags for a split second and then whips back. A properly positioned headrest limits how far the head can travel backward. Without it, the neck muscles, ligaments, and small joints can be stretched beyond their normal range. This is commonly called whiplash.
How to set a headrest correctly
- The top of the headrest should be at least as high as the top of your ears, and ideally level with the top of your head
- It should sit as close to the back of your head as is comfortable
- If your vehicle has a retractable rear headrest, raise it whenever someone is sitting there even for a short trip
Common Symptoms After a Rear-End Injury
Even without a concussion or direct impact to the head, neck strain and cervical misalignments can trigger a wide range of symptoms over the hours or days following an car accident:
- Persistent, throbbing neck pain and stiffness
- Sharp pain when turning your head left or right
- Tension headaches radiating from the base of the skull to the forehead
- Shoulder blade tightness and upper back muscle spasms
- Numbness, tingling, or radiating pain down the arms or hands
Injured in a Car Accident? We Handle Your MVA Insurance Claims
At New Motion Health Centre, our experienced team guides you through every step of your Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) recovery:
- Comprehensive Injury Assessment: Detailed physical examination and documentation of your cervical spine condition.
- Full Insurance Paperwork Support: We charge directly to your extended health insurance or auto insurance providers (HCAI) to process your claims smoothly.
- Multidisciplinary Rehab Clinic: Physiotherapy, Chiropractic and Massage Therapy are at our clinic to help you recovery
