Preventing Whiplash Injury in an Auto Accident
The watchdog group Consumer Reports recently issued a useful guide on reducing the risk of an auto accident whiplash injury, which commonly occur in rear-end impacts.
In addition to pushing for more effective standards for head restraints, which have had a dramatic impact on safety and prevention of auto accident neck injuries, Consumer Reports indicates that there are other steps that drivers and passengers can take, including:
- Make sure any car purchased has a good rear-crash rating
- Always wearing your seat belt
- Sit upright, instead of leaning to one side while in a car
- Do not tailgate other vehicles
- In case of an imminent accident, lean your head back against the restraint and look straight ahead.
Consumer Reports also indicate that the head restraint should be positioned to reach as high as the top of your head and should be set back no more than four inches from the back of your head.
While significant safety improvements have been made in automobiles in recent decades, Consumer Reports warns that federal safety standards still fail to adequately require carmakers to protect consumers. The current standards fail to require rear seat head restraints, with many vehicles having poor head restraints on the sides and none in the often-used middle seat.
It is estimated that a rear-end crash occurs every 17 seconds in the United States, and a whiplash injury can occur in accidents occurring at low-speed accidents of less than 10 miles per hour, particularly when cars made before 2009 are involved.
Whiplash Injury Lawyers
Following an accident, if you suspect you may have suffered a whiplash injury, it is important to seek immediate medical attention.
The Baltimore personal injury lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. provide free consultations to help individuals involved in accidents understand their legal rights and make sure they obtain the financial compensation they may be entitled.
All cases are handled by our lawyers under a contingency fee agreement, which means we receive no attorney fees or reimbursed expenses unless a recovery is obtained for your injury.
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