Whiplash Injury in Low Speed Car Accidents: Assessment of Biomechanical Cervical Spine Loading and Injury Prevention in a Forensic Sample

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the relationship between motor vehicle collision magnitude and whiplash associated disorder [WAD] outcomes.

Methods: The magnitude and characteristics were retrospectively analyzed in 1,096 cases of low velocity collisions between 0 to 20 km/h change of velocity using computer modelling [PC-Crash, MADYMO] to determine the biomechanical stresses upon the occupant's head-neck region. All subjects were involved in litigation, with anticipation of financial gain. The severity of whiplash outcomes were recorded as days off work or self-claimed disability duration.

Results: Rear-end collisions were disproportionately high [59%] in reporting WAD compared to general accident occurrence. The commonest cars involved in WAD outcomes were small. The change of velocity [δV] most common for expressing WAD was between 5–10 km/h [49%], and a further 24% had WAD with 0–5 km/h δV. The medium age of complainants was around 30, with 42% at or under this age; the incidence of WAD in the elderly or frail persons with degenerative neck disorders was disproportionately low, 16% being over age 50. About 20% of WAD claims were involved in collisions of sufficient magnitude to realistically cause physical injury to the neck. About 70% were not.

Conclusion: In the Munich area, there may be a sub-set of the population among otherwise young healthy persons, who claim compensation for whiplash injury based on minimal if any stresses having been imposed upon their neck. The collision severity and the severity of WAD did not correlate, suggesting that the intensity of external mechanical neck loading is not a reliable marker for WAD claims.

KEYWORDS:

• Whiplash
• motor vehicle accident
• litigation
• compensation
• dynamics