Motor vehicle accidents can occur when least expected. From the person on the highway who does not slow down fast enough approaching a traffic jam to a distracted driver who fails to see a streetlight turn red, each scenario can result in a rear-end accident.
A common soft tissue injury that results from rear-end automobile collisions is whiplash. In an accident, the sudden back and forth movement of the head can stretch neck muscles and ligaments past their normal range of motion.
Whiplash can be mild or severe. Some people may even develop chronic pain following this type of injury. Women are more likely to suffer a more severe whiplash injury than men are, because their neck muscles are not as strong.