CRASH FACTS:
MOST INJURIES OCCUR AT CRASH SPEEDS BELOW 12 MPH.
MOST CARS WITHSTAND 8-12 MPH IMPACTS WITHOUT STRUCTURAL DAMAGE.
MORE THAN HALF OF ALL LOSRIC INJURIES OCCUR WITHOUT VEHICLE DAMAGE.
THERE IS NO CORRELATION BETWEEN VEHICLE DAMAGE AND OUTCOME.
THE PEAK ACCELERATION OF THE HEAD IS MUCH GREATER THAN THE PEAK ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE.
AT 5 MPH MVA CRASHES TYPICALLY PRODUCE ABOUT 10-12 G OF ACCELERATION OF THE OCCUPANT’S HEAD.
18% OF INJURIES OCCUR UNDER 6 MPH
22% OF INJURIES OCCUR OVER 12 MPH
60% OF INJURIES OCCUR BETWEEN 6-12 MPH
RISK FACTORS FOR INJURY AND/OR POOR OUTCOME:
REAR DIRECTION IMPACT
LIMITED RANGE OF MOTION; NEUROLOGICAL SYMPTOMS AFTER THE CRASH
LIGAMENTOUS INSTABILITY AFTER CRASH
DEGENERATIVE DISEASE, HEADACHES, OR NECK INJURY OR PAIN PRIOR TO CRASH.
HEAD TURNED AT IMPACT, OR OCCUPANT IN POOR POSITION AT IMPACT
NON- AWARENESS OF IMPACT
NON- FAILURE OF SEAT BACK
THE USE OF SEAT BELT/SHOULDER HARNESS
NO HEAD RESTRAINT OR POOR HEAD RESTRAINT POSITION
FEMALE GENDER OR ADVANCED AGE
COMMON SYMPTOMS OF WHIPLASH
NECK PAIN-92%
HEADACHE-57%
FATIGUE-56%
SHOULDER PAIN-49%
ANXIETY-44%
INTER SCAPULAR PAIN-42%
LOW BACK PAIN-39%
SLEEP DISTURBANCE-39%
UPPER LIMB PARESTHESIA-30%
SENSITIVITY TO NOISE-29%
IMPAIRED CONCENTRATION-26%
BLURRED VISION-21%
IRRITABILITY-21%
DYSPHAGIA (DIFFICULTY SWALLOWING)-16%
DIZZINESS-15%
FORGETFULNESS-15%
UPPER LIMB PAIN-12%
UPPER LIMB WEAKNESS-6%
TINNITUS (RINGING IN EARS)-4%
JAW/FACIAL PAIN (TMJ)-4% +
