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Auto & Vehicle Accidents

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Preventing Whiplash: Will Your Headrest Protect You in a Kansas City Traffic Accident?

As Clay County, MO auto accident lawyers, we know that whiplash, cervical strain, or hyperextension neck injury is one of the most common Missouri car accident injuries. In the United States, approximately 272,464 whiplash injuries occur each year. Both drivers and passengers are likely to sustain a whiplash injury. About 251,000 whiplash victims are riding in front seats, and 21,500 in backseats at the time of the accident.

Whiplash is caused when the cervical spins is injured because of an abrupt motion of the head. It is especially likely to occur after a rear-end accident. To learn more about the symptoms of whiplash, read our article, "Common Symptoms of Neck Injury for Kansas City Accident Victims". To learn how whiplash can be prevented, keep reading.

Scientists estimate that over 100,000 cases of whiplash could be prevented each year if every driver took a minute to make sure his or her headrest was properly adjusted. Headrests are designed to prevent whiplash injury, but they are only effective if they are properly adjusted. Is your headrest adjusted correctly? Maybe not; according to one study, 90 percent of drivers have their headrests adjusted too low.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that a headrest should be as close to the back of the head as possible. Ideally, it should be less than two inches from the head and never more than 4 inches. The bulk of the headrest should be directly behind the driver's head or level with your eyes, so in a crash the head should contact the headrest before the neck. The top of the headrest should be level with or above the top of the driver's head.

If you own an older vehicle, getting proper headrest adjustment may be difficult or even impossible. In 1995, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave only three percent of vehicle headrests for that model year a "good" rating; 82 percent received a "poor" rating. However, new standards have improved the ability of headrests to prevent injury. In the 2003 model year, 45 percent of vehicle headrests were rated "good" and only 10 percent were rated "poor".

Despite the improvements, if your headrest isn't properly adjusted, you are missing out on its safety benefits. Taking a few minutes to correctly adjust your car seat headrest may save you months or even years of pain.

If you have received a whiplash injury, it is important that you see a doctor. Proper treatment can relieve pain and shorten the duration of your injury. In addition, medical documentation is necessary in order to receive insurance compensation.

Getting fair insurance compensation for a whiplash injury sustained in a Missouri car accident can be difficult, but our Clay County, MO auto accident lawyers can help. If you would like to discuss your claim with an experienced Missouri accident attorney, contact Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys at 888-348-2616 and ask to schedule a free consultation.

How can you protect your personal injury claim? Download a free copy of the book, 10 Essential Steps You Must Take To Protect Your Injury Claim.

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