According to medical dictionaries, whiplash is a “hyperextenstion-hyperflexion” injury to the cervical spine caused by an abrupt jerking movement of the head, either in a backward or forward direction.”
That’s all very well, but as none of us are doctors, that definition is about as helpful as shouting in sign language.
Most commonly caused by road traffic accidents, whiplash occurs when the soft tissue in the spine is strained and stretched as a result of the body being thrown forwards in a sudden and forceful jerking motion. In a car crash, being hit from behind could send the body forward whilst the head is thrown backwards. The force of the movement is beyond what nature built the body to endure and so the muscles and ligaments around the neck are likely to get abnormally stretched. This is what doctors would call the “hyperextension” part of the injury.
The hyperflexion part occurs when the head is then thrown forwards because the brakes have been instinctively slammed or the car is shunted with force, this causes the neck to bend to such an extent that the head is thrown forwards and the chin hits the chest, compounding the damage already done and resulting in sever personal injury.
This is only a simple explanation of the most common type of whiplash injury. There are other soft tissue injuries that are caused by the same type of accident circumstance and whiplash itself can lead to a variety of other related problems.
To discuss whether you may be able to make whiplash claim, visit duncangibbins.co.uk or freephone 0800 019 3515 for up to date advice from specialist personal injury solicitors.
No related posts to display.
