Women face higher whiplash risk
New research compiled using data from a number of insurance companies in Sweden has suggested that women are three times more likely to suffer with whiplash injuries after a low impact crash than men.
The research, carried out at the Umea University in Sweden, found that when involved in similar types of accidents, namely low impact crashes, women were more likely to suffer with whiplash due to their seating position.
The research focused on claims information gathered from insurance companies and footage of low impact crashes captured on roadside cameras. Tests were also carried out on crash test dummies seated in typical male and female positions in laboratories. With all of these angles of looking at the phenomenon, it became clear firstly that more women were suffering from neck injuries after a crash and that this was due to the preferred seating position of women.
Neck injuries are one of the most common injuries sustained during a car accident and research into the causes is very important. As women are smaller and tend to sit higher up and closer to the steering wheel, they are more vulnerable to neck injuries. Women are also more likely to have the seat in a more upright position.
A spokesperson from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA), said that you should check the safest way to adjust your seat and remember to re adjust it after anyone else has been using the car.
He said that having a properly adjusted seat and headrest would “help prevent whiplash by reducing the distance between the back of the head and the head restraint, stopping the neck from bending back on impact.”
This knowledge can assist car manufacturers in improving safety in cars. As women make up around half of all road users, the improving safety for female drivers who are at risk is a priority. Seating position seems to be the key issue here, which suggests that is what manufacturers need to be working on. Seats which can be adjusted in more ways to accommodate all different drivers comfortably and safely could be an option.
An important aspect of this problem is that many drivers adjust their seat to a position which is comfortable for them rather than the safest position to drive in. More information needs to be available to drivers as to how they should have their seats adjusted in order to be safe in the event of a low impact rear end collision.
This research could have an impact on whiplash claims, one of the most common accident claims made. If more emphasis is placed on seating position and the public are aware of how they should have their seat adjusted, a shrewd lawyer could pick up on that and claim that the whiplash was partly the victims fault if the seat was not properly adjusted.
There is a small chance that this could result in the claim falling through, but the most likely outcome would be that the compensation paid out would be slightly reduced if it could be proved that the driver knowingly had their seat incorrectly adjusted for reasons of comfort.
Updated on 29/06/2008