Personal injury news
12/04/2007
Study could reduce whiplash compensation claims
Recent research has shown that nearly 63% of motorists fail
to position their head restraints correctly and risk having
to make whiplash
compensation claims for car accident injuries.
The study carried out by the Motor Insurance Repair Research
Centre, Thatcham, reported that 250,000 drivers suffer from
neck
injuries every year with a number of motorists subsequently
contacting no win no fee solicitors to make whiplash
compensation claims.
Thatcham stated that 125,000 people could have prevented
their injuries by correctly adjusting their head restraints
as their headrest would limit the impact caused by a road
traffic accident. The report found that male drivers in particular
were at risk of making whiplash
compensation claims as only 25% positioned their head
restraint correctly.
Thatcham's crash lab manager said, "The manufacturers are
doing their bit - now the public have to wake up to whiplash.
The head restraint should be seen as every bit as important
as the seatbelt - yet people seem oblivious as how to use
it properly.
"These figures are shocking. If people are made aware of
the risks they are running they would take a few seconds to
adjust their restraint whenever they get into a vehicle.
"More than 125 whiplash
injuries could be prevented in this country each year
if people took a little time out to save their necks."
Thatcham have examined a number of car models that could
limit whiplash
compensation claims by redesigning car seats that will
be able to improve a person's head restraint positioning.
This examination revealed that 80% of seats derived from Europe
achieved "good" or acceptable" in whiplash
tests.
In particular, Thatcham believes that Volvo and Saab are
especially good when it comes to whiplash
safety and nearly every new model made by the car manufactures
receive high ratings in tests carried out for neck
injury prevention.
Ford and Renault are also developing specialist car seats
in some of their latest models which could lead to a reduction
in the number of people contacting personal injury solicitors
to make whiplash
compensation claims.
Road safety experts believe that head restraints could reduce
the number of people sustaining neck
injuries in serious motor accidents. To achieve a correct
positioning, car users should ensure that the head restraint
is level with the top of the head and that it is as close
to the head as possible when sat comfortably in a car seat.
A few seconds of adjusting could limit the risk of sustaining
serious personal injuries in the event of a car accident.
