After an auto accident, one of the most common injuries reported is whiplash as rear-end crashes occur so frequently in the U.S.
During an accident, a person’s neck is quickly forced backward and then forward, which can injure the spine, ligaments, muscles and nerves within the neck. Some of the most common symptoms of whiplash injury are shooting pain in the neck, muscle weakness, numbness and tingling. Many people will have difficulty turning or bending their neck, which makes getting out of bed more difficult than before.
Though the risk of an auto accident is always present when you are on the road, there are a few steps that you can take to avoid/lessen neck injury during a car accident.
Adjust the Head Restraint Correctly
You will need someone to help you with adjusting the head restraint. First, position your seat correctly; it should be inclined no more than a 20-degree angle. Next, check the height of the headrest. The top of the headrest should be level with or just above the top of your head. Finally, the headrest should be about and no more than 4 inches away from the back of your head. The closer the headrest, the more effective it is at preventing injuries.
Check Your Vehicle’s Crash Rating
Find out what your vehicle’s front-seat crash ratings are, including the vehicle’s head restraints and seat test results. Vehicles with good rear crash ratings are more likely to prevent a car accident neck injury. If you are in the process of looking for a new vehicle to purchase, you will also want to review the vehicle’s crash ratings.
Always Wear Your Seatbelt
Wearing your seatbelt can help you stay in position during a crash. Though it cannot fully prevent a car accident neck injury, it can lessen the impact of the crash on your spine.
Prepare for an Accident
Car crashes happen in a split second. Still, some victims can see the crash coming and react. If you have time to react, leaning back on your headrest and looking straight ahead could minimize the whiplash effect on the neck.
If you suffer a car accident neck injury, get treatment as soon as possible. Some cases of whiplash will only last a few days, but others can take weeks or longer to heal. For those whose whiplash has led to chronic neck pain that has not improved despite months of conservative treatment, you may require cervical spine surgery to treat your whiplash injury .
At The Bonati Institute, the spine doctors can re-examine your MRI to determine if you may have suffered a herniated disc or disc rupture in the cervical vertebrae due to whiplash. A herniated disc or rupture could be the cause of the radiating pain. Our surgeons can also determine what treatment options will work best for you following a full evaluation of your symptoms and condition.
Call 855-267-0482 to discuss your condition with a professional at The Bonati Spine Institute.