5 Unusual Causes of Whiplash

Sneezing

Although not commonly known, even a violent sneeze can cause whiplash. Most physiotherapists have experienced treating whiplash sustained in this way. Interestingly, Scientists at the JFK World Health Museum in Barrington, Illinois estimated the speed of a sneeze, coming out as 650mph! With speeds like this, it’s a wonder that our heads are still attached to our bodies!

Sneezing can be the cause of other serious accidents, usually while driving as one violent sneeze can cause a driver to lose control of a vehicle.

Aircraft Turbulence

Although travelling by air is one of the safest ways to travel with millions of people taking to the sky each, there are very rare occasions where a whiplash injury might be sustained. While airliners have sufficient protection facilities on-board to protect against personal injury, many airliners do not protect against whiplash.

The pilot should be able to predict when a spout of turbulence is going to hit, advising passengers remain seated and to fasten their seat belts. However, on rare occasions unexpected turbulence may cause passengers to suffer a whiplash injury. If a passenger has suffered from whiplash due to ‘unexpected’ turbulence, the passenger is liable to make a claim against the airline on the grounds of inappropriate warning.

Amusement Park Rides

Rides in amusement parks are fun and exciting, however they can also be extremely dangerous if sufficient care is not taken. Rides nowadays are thrilling and fast which increases the amount of impact, doubling the risk of whiplash. For example, a fast rollercoaster which suddenly halts at the end of the ride causes the head to be forced forwards and backwards, causing hyperflexion. Similarly, dodgem cars cause whiplash just as they would if you had a collision with statutory real car.

Diving

Springboard diving has become increasingly popular ever since the London Olympics 2012. However, unlike the professionals many people do not have the skill and precision to perform a springboard dive safely, resulting in many whiplash injuries.  Divers are at risk of whiplash injuries due to the impact on their neck as they hit the water. If divers do not hit the water at the correct angle, they could suffer from a serious whiplash injury. Diving is most popular in holiday destinations, where it has become some sort of a ‘sport’ to dive off cliffs and piers. This risky behavior has caused serious injuries and even death.

Dancing

Dancing as a profession contains dangerous lifts, fast footwork and many hours of rehearsing. Denise Van Outen became the latest contestant on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ to suffer from whiplash while practicing with her dance partner James Jordan. Current contestant of ITV’S hit show ‘Dancing on Ice,’ Samia Ghandie has suffered a whiplash injury after a nasty fall during a practice session. The Coronation Street actress complained of being in pain, finding many of the basic moves hard. However, Ghandie is overcoming her whiplash injury and is still performing in the show.

What is Whiplash?

Although whiplash is most commonly sustained in car accidents, the injury can be caused in any situation where the neck is suddenly forced backwards and forwards, or from side to side. The soft tissue in the neck becomes damaged and can cause much discomfort including stiffness, tenderness, headaches, dizziness and restricted movement in the head and neck.

Making a whiplash compensation claim

If you have sustained a whiplash injury during any circumstance, common or uncommon, it is vital you speak to a whiplash compensation claim specialist.

Solicitors at Loyalty Law will help you with your instant claim for whiplash assessment, free of charge.

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