Whiplash in Car Accidents (Infographic)

Tips to Prevent Whiplash

● Adjust your Headrest

Proper usage of the headrest of your seat carries the most significant impact in avoiding whiplash. Most cars include well-designed headrests that play a substantial role in helping you reduce whiplash symptoms, especially when they are adjusted correctly.

When riding a vehicle, the headrest should be placed directly behind your head. The top of the restraint should align to the top of your head or ears. If the driver or passenger is tall, the headrest needs to be raised to be as close to the top of the head as possible.

In cases where the occupants are too short, it’s perfectly fine for the headrest to be over the top of their heads as long as it’s lowered as far as possible.

● Sit Upright

There should also be as little space as possible between the back of your head and the headrest. Make sure you sit back in your seat until there minimum space between the headrest and the back of your head. As a rule of thumb, the headrest should have no further space from your head than two inches.

● Always wear your seatbelt

Seatbelts complement the work done by the headrests as it keeps the entire body in place during a crash. While it doesn’t prevent the head from jostling, seatbelts can help keep the torso in place. The reduction of jarring and strain minimizes the effects of whiplash despite your car being hit.

● Purchase a car with an excellent rear-crash safety rating

The actual vehicle you’re sitting in when a crash occurs can make a life-or-death difference, so make sure that your car meets the minimum safety requirements set by independent organizations such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS).

These organizations have requirement tests that evaluate the safety aspects of most of the new cars sold to show consumers how well each vehicle tested is likely to protect you in a collision.

● Don’t tailgate

Following the car in front too closely reduces the time you have to react when the driver in front decides to suddenly hit the brakes and can result in a rear-end car accident.

Drivers must maintain a safe distance from a vehicle in front of them, considering the speeds of the cars and the conditions of the road. A good rule of thumb is to allow 10 feet of distance for every increment of 10 mph you are driving.

If you need an attorney that you can rely on after a horrific car accident, don’t wait another minute and contact Brown Firm now. The Personal Injury Attorneys at the Brown Firm will be willing to assist you in any legal matters relating to these accidents.

Contact the Brown Firm today at (912) 200-9755 or visit our website at www.www.harrybrownlaw.com to learn more about our services or receive a free legal consultation. What are you waiting for? Have a free consultation now!