Microscopic research has shown that irreversible nerve damage can occur even when the head does not strike an object, but instead is only shaken violently as in a whiplash incident. Each year over one million people in the United States sustain whiplash injury. About 25 percent result in long term chronic disorders although some literature suggests that 43 percent of patients will suffer long-term symptoms. Symptoms may last for months or even years and for some, it can last a life time, never making a complete recovery. It can be especially troublesome for women who don't have as much muscle mass in the neck as men.
Whiplash injuries can range from mild muscle strain to even death.
In many cases, symptoms don't occur until hours after the accident. Neck pain, which accompanies all whiplash injuries, reminds the victim of the accident continually and interferes with common daily activities. The acceleration-deceleration forces which cause whiplash injury are sufficient to permanently disable you. Even in a low speed rear impact collision of 8 mph, your head moves roughly 18 inches, at a force as great as 7 G s in less than a quarter of a second. The Discovery space shuttle is only built to withstand a maximum of 3 G s.