subject: Motorbike Accidents And Whiplash [print this page] Motorbike Accidents And Whiplash Motorbike Accidents And Whiplash
Copyright (c) 2011 Robert GrayWhen they think of whiplash many people immediately think of this common injury as being caused as a result of a car accident - usually one car going into the back of another car. However, what if you are the driver of a motorcycle - can you still sustain a whiplash injury and how would this be caused? Understanding how a whiplash injury is caused makes it easier to see how it is not just car drivers that need to be aware of the causes and symptoms of whiplash injuries. A whiplash injury occurs when the neck and head are suddenly and forcefully thrown back and forth causing damage to the tendons and soft-tissue in the neck. Resulting symptoms - such as backache, neck pain, restricted movement, pins and needles, lethargy and dizziness - are often not apparent until several hours, or even days, after the accident. Whiplash injuries vary in severity, therefore, the length of time it takes a person to recover from a whiplash injury also varies. Often treatment - such as physiotherapy or painkilling medication - is required to aid recovery. Having an understanding of how a whiplash injury is caused makes it easier to see that a motorcyclist could indeed suffer a whiplash injury. If, for example, a car collides with the back of a stationary motorcyclists a whiplash injury could very easily be caused. The injury could also be caused, for example, by the motorcyclist accidently colliding with the vehicle in front. Anything that causes the head to be thrown forcefully back and forth, as described above, can be enough to cause a whiplash injury. Unfortunately motorcyclists are at greater risk of injury than car drivers as they do not have the metal 'buffer' that a car or van provides, to reduce the risk of injury to the driver. As with all vehicle users, motor cyclists should reduce the risk of sustaining a whiplash injury by driving with care at all times, not exceeding the speed limit and keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in front. Motorcyclists should aim to ensure that they are not only constantly aware of what the vehicles in front of them are doing, but also the vehicles behind. It is apparent therefore, that whiplash injuries are easily sustainable by motorcyclists, as well as car drivers, and the symptoms of a whiplash injury should be taken seriously - and medical attention sought as soon as possible - to ensure that the injury is treated correctly and that no other, more serious, injuries have been sustained.
