| Although the concept of whiplash was first | | | | usually set up using dummies of an average height |
| introduced over 80 years ago and it is scientifically | | | | and build. It is also likely that the crash test dummies |
| recognised as a legitimate injury, the authenticity of | | | | are seated correctly, with seats and headrests in the |
| low speed impact claims continue to promote | | | | appropriate position, to minimise or eliminate any |
| conflicting arguments from insurers and personal | | | | potential whiplash injuries. These factors are |
| injury specialists. | | | | important when considering the validity of any test |
| Low speed impacts are typically accidents that occur | | | | results as studies have confirmed that the severity |
| under the speed of 10 mph and there is often little or | | | | of whiplash injuries are governed by the position of |
| no damage to either of the vehicles involved. | | | | the cars headrest and certain groups such as women |
| However passengers of the vehicle that has been | | | | and tall people are more prone to suffer whiplash |
| struck often complain of neck, shoulder and back | | | | injuries. |
| pain, typically referred to as whiplash injuries. < | | | | Whiplash occurs when the soft tissue and ligaments |
| i>Sometimes the effects of such injuries are not | | | | in the neck or back are strained after a sudden |
| always immediately apparent and can often appear a | | | | movement or jolt. On the whole, the majority of |
| number of days after the collision. | | | | whiplash injuries subside within a 6 - 9 month period, |
| When faced with such claims, insurers often try and | | | | however approximately 5-10% of cases in the UK |
| argue that as the accident occurred at such a low | | | | show that some injuries last in excess of 1 year and |
| speed, the symptoms complained of are either | | | | individuals are left with more serious chronic |
| non-existent or exaggerated and it is often alleged | | | | symptoms. Past cases involving more serious injuries |
| that the majority of such claims are fraudulent. | | | | have occurred when a vehicle is hit at a low speed. |
| Insurers base these accusations on tests that are | | | | Each individual case is different and each set of facts |
| carried out on crash test dummies, which show that | | | | must be assessed separately on its own merits, |
| when a vehicle is struck at a low speed potential | | | | therefore it cannot just be assumed that all low |
| whiplash injuries are fairly rare. | | | | speed impact claims are fraudulent. |
| The opposing argument for these assertions are that | | | | Although the vehicle may show no damage, the |
| although there may be no apparent damage to the | | | | velocity and accompanying force has to be |
| vehicle, research carried out in 2003 and 2004 | | | | transferred somewhere and usually, this is directly to |
| confirmed injuries are just as likely to be sustained in | | | | the occupants of the vehicle being struck, as even at |
| a low impact collision, as in a high speed accident. | | | | low speeds, the occupants are unable to brace |
| Any results produced following experiments on crash | | | | themselves for the impact to prevent any injuries |
| test dummies can also be questioned, as they are | | | | occurring. |