Whiplash is a neck injury involving the neck’s soft tissues, including the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Although it is typically the result of a motor vehicle accident, it can also happen in other types of accidents such as a slip and fall accident or even contact sports like football. Whiplash can occur in any car accident but rear-end collisions are the most common causes of this condition. The sudden and quick back and forth movement of the head and neck causes whiplash. In a car accident, whiplash results from the force of another vehicle hitting yours, which suddenly puts your neck in motion. The soft tissues in the neck and upper back don’t expect to experience such severe force as they can in the car or other extreme accidents. Since the neck and head aren’t secured in place by a seat belt like the torso should be, the neck is likely to jerk forward at impact and then jerk back once it can no longer extend forward. In most car accidents, this severe, unexpected neck movement almost always results in at least a minor injury. Every year, millions of whiplash accidents occur in the United States. Whiplash isn't always a serious injury. However, treatment for whiplash and related injuries can still be expensive. Don't shoulder the inconvenience and burden of injury-related expenses after an accident that wasn't your fault. Be sure to seek medical treatment as soon as possible after the accident to help prevent any severe side effects from neglecting treatment. You should also contact a seasoned car accident attorney who can help you obtain compensation for your expenses.