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WAD, or whiplash associated disorders cover a range of injuries, mainly to the neck and back, which often occur in motor accidents, especially rear end collisions. These injuries may be caused by the sudden movement and distortion in the neck when the head is thrown backwards in a rear end motor vehicle collision.

These injuries are notable for being one of the main injuries for which motor insurers have to pay compensation. In the UK it is reported that in one year there were 430,000 whiplash claims made after motor accidents, and the cost of paying these added 14% to the insurance premium of every driver.

Those who sustain this injury report a variety of symptoms. These can include aches and pains at the back of the neck, referred pain felt in the shoulders, sensory disturbance, such as pins and needles felt in the legs and arms, and headaches. Often the symptoms are not felt immediately after the accident, but take several days to appear.

These injuries are usually associated with the spinal cord, particularly with the neck, and the middle part of the spine. Exact physical causes for this injury have never been identified: one theory associates the condition with tearing of ligaments during the impulsive stretching of the spine during the accident.

Motor accidents are the most common cause of this kind of injury (especially rear end shunts), but several other causes have been identified. These include injuries sustained on fairground rides such as roller coasters, falls from stools, bicycles, and horses, and being involved in fights. It is also thought that whiplash is one of the injuries caused to shaken infants and babies.

Insurance claims made by people who have suffered this injury in rear end road traffic collisions are one of the major costs faced by insurers (and motorists). It has been reported that in 2007 there were 430,000 whiplash claims made in the UK following motor accidents. These comprised 75% of all injury claims, and it was claimed that the cost of insuring against these added 14% to the insurance premium of every driver.

As these claims cost the motor industry so much every year, it is not surprising that there have been a number of scientific and engineering studies. These cover how the injury occurs, and how car seats might be designed to prevent the problem. Head restraints, or head rests, are the main safety improvements to be deployed to prevent this type of injury. These are supposed to limit the backwards movement of the head and neck during a rear impact.

This approach to preventing these injuries will only be effective if the injury is only due to mechanical forces on the body during the accident. That is something that has never be satisfactorily proven. The practical evidence seems to be that head restraints have only reduced injuries by about 5 or 10 per cent, which is a lot less than might have been hoped for. One theory about the relative ineffectiveness of head rests is that during the same period car seats have been made much stiffer. This measure, which is definitely needed to improve safety in high speed accidents, may have had the side effect of increasing the probability of this type of neck injury in low speed collisions.

Looking to make whiplash claims after a car accident? Then visit www.WhiplashClaims.org to start your whiplash claims today.