How to Prevent Whiplash with the Correct Car Headrest Setup

One of the most unfortunate realities of being a driver is the fact that you can be the most cautious driver in the world, but if another driver has a lapse of judgement, you can still become the victim of a car accident and those accidents aren’t always minor fender-benders. Millions of people are injured in car accidents every year and even car accidents that don’t occur at high speeds still have the potential to cause injuries.

Whiplash is very commonly caused by car accidents and it’s been known to occur in accidents where cars were traveling at speeds as low as 5 to 10 miles per hour. During a car accident, the impact can force a person’s head to move backward, then forward again with enough force to cause the tendons and ligaments in the neck to stretch and tear.

Since you can’t control the actions of other drivers on the road, one of the best things you can do is take steps to protect yourself in the event of an accident. For millions of drivers, the first thing they do when they get in the car is fasten their seat belt, but that’s not the only line of protection you have. Headrests aren’t just there for comfort, they also help reduce the risk of whiplash. However, people often don’t take the time to adjust their headrests for maximum protection.

To get the best protection from your headrest, the top of the headrest should hit somewhere between the top of your head and the top of your ears. If you’re on the taller side and adjusting the headrest to its highest level isn’t quite high enough to reach this point, leave the headrest at its highest level. If the headrest is at its lowest setting and it reaches higher than this point on you, it’s okay to leave the headrest at its lowest level.

Ideally, the headrest should be as close to your head as possible. If the headrests in your car can be adjusted horizontally, go ahead and adjust yours to bring it closer to your head. Just don’t bring it so close that the overall height of the headrest is reduced or it pushes your head and neck forward.

While you’re adjusting your headrests, take a look at how the rest of your seat is adjusted. For the best protection during a car accident, your seat should be as upright as possible. Keeping your seat upright helps reduce the distance between your head and the headrest so that it can help prevent whiplash.

Even if you take all the precautions to protect yourself in the event of a car accident, injuries can still happen. If you’re in a car accident, one of the best things you can do is get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. Even if you think you’re uninjured at first, some injuries take time to show. With whiplash, for example, symptoms typically show within 24 hours, but they can take longer in some cases. If you wait to get medical attention, it will be more difficult to definitively connect your injury with the accident. If you show signs of an injury, be sure to contact a car accident lawyer. At Goodwin & Scieszka, we have attorneys experienced in handling Michigan car accident cases. If you have any questions about your case or about how Michigan no-fault benefits apply to your situation, contact us today.