If you thought car safety testing had reached its peak, think again. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety just rolled out a brand new evaluation that's giving automakers some serious whiplash of their own.
Whiplash is a neck injury that happens when your head is suddenly snapped back and forth, stretching or tearing the soft tissues that support your neck.
In car accidents, this often occurs during a rear-end or sudden-impact collision, where your body moves with the vehicle but your head momentarily lags behind and then whips forward, putting intense, rapid strain on the muscles, ligaments, and other structures in your neck.
What did the IIHS study reveal about whiplash?
Out of 18 small SUVs put through the paces, only four managed to earn the top "good" rating in tests designed to measure how well seats and head restraints protect your neck during rear-end collisions.
The timing makes sense when you consider that neck sprains and strains are the most commonly reported injuries in U.S. auto insurance claims.
"This new test challenges automakers to further improve their seats and head restraints to provide better protection in the rear impacts that typically cause these injuries," said IIHS President David Harkey.
Which vehicles passed the whiplash prevention test?
The winners' circle is pretty exclusive. Only the Audi Q3, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Subaru Forester, and Toyota RAV4 earned "good" ratings. It is an interesting mix spanning luxury, electric, and mainstream brands, which suggests that good whiplash protection is not necessarily tied to price point or powertrain type.
The middle of the pack was considerably more crowded. Nine models earned acceptable ratings, including:
- The Buick Encore GX
- Chevrolet Equinox
- Honda CR-V
- Jeep Compass
- Kia Sportage
- Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class
- Mitsubishi Outlander
- Volkswagen Taos
- Volvo XC40
That is not bad, but it is also not great when you are talking about protecting people from one of the most common crash injuries. The BMW X1 and Nissan Rogue landed in the marginal category, while the Ford Bronco Sport, Hyundai Tucson, and Mazda CX-50 were rated "poor." Those last three fell short across multiple metrics and, frankly, performed pretty badly in the test videos.
Why did IIHS change the whiplash test in the first place?
The old whiplash test was actually too successful. When IIHS discontinued its original head restraint evaluation in 2022, it was because virtually every vehicle earned a "good" rating. Automakers had figured out how to ace that test, which simulated a 20-mph rear-impact.
But even though designs had improved, people were still getting whiplash injuries in vehicles that scored well. Insurance claim data showed that some models clearly protected occupants better than others, but the existing test could not distinguish them. That is a problem when your whole mission is driving continuous improvement in vehicle safety.
So, IIHS went back to the drawing board. They tested 36 vehicles at three impact speeds and collected mountains of data on what happens to crash test dummies during rear-impact tests. Then they compared all that information with real-world insurance claims to determine which measurements actually predicted injuries.
What is the IIHS measuring now?
The new whiplash prevention test is considerably more sophisticated. Instead of one impact speed, there are now two, simulating both 20 mph and 30 mph rear-end crashes. That higher speed turns out to be crucial for revealing differences between seat designs.
Some metrics from the original test have persisted because they remain relevant. Head contact time, which measures how long it takes the head restraint to actually reach your head, remains important. So does the acceleration of your T1 vertebra, which is where your upper spine meets your neck.
But IIHS added some new measurements as well. For example, pelvis displacement tells you how well a seat absorbs crash energy. Ideally, you should sink into the seatback during impact so your pelvis does not move forward relative to your head. They are also now measuring the tilting and bending forces on your head relative to your neck. A good head restraint should keep your head in its natural upright position, not push your chin up or down.
"We don't yet fully understand the mechanisms that cause whiplash injuries," noted Marcy Edwards, the IIHS senior research engineer who developed the evaluation. "But our research makes us confident that reducing these types of movements and stresses should cut down on whiplash injuries in the real world."
Why "minor" bumper damage is deceiving
This IIHS study proves something we have told our clients for years: the damage to your car does not always match the damage to your body.
A vehicle might have a "good" safety rating and show zero bumper damage after a 20-mph impact, but if the seat fails to absorb the energy, that force is transferred directly into your cervical spine.
In the legal world, insurance adjusters try to use a "clean" bumper to deny a whiplash claim. Our law firm uses real data to show that a seat's internal mechanics can also dictate the severity of an injury.
What did the crash test videos reveal?
In the poorly rated vehicles, you can actually see the dummy's head moving way too much relative to the spine. The cervical spine should maintain its natural curve. Instead, they are stretching and straightening in ways that make you wince just watching. For example:
- The Tucson's head restraint pushed the dummy's chin down toward its chest.
- The CX-50 let the head slide backward and upward.
- The Bronco Sport was particularly rough, with a long delay before the head restraint even made contact and a huge velocity difference between the pelvis and head.
In contrast, the vehicles rated "good" kept everything properly aligned, with minimal head movement and natural spine curvature maintained.
The 48-hour window: Why whiplash is an "invisible" threat
In the IIHS videos, the damage is instantaneous. In real life, it is often delayed. Adrenaline masks soft-tissue inflammation. Many of our clients feel "fine" at the scene, only to wake up two days later, unable to turn their heads.
If you wait until the pain becomes unbearable to see a doctor, the insurance company will claim your injury happened after the accident. This is why immediate medical documentation is the most important step in a whiplash case.
Frequently Asked Questions: Whiplash & Safety Ratings
If my car has a "Poor" whiplash rating, is the manufacturer liable?
Not necessarily. While a poor safety rating is a concern, the primary liability usually lies with the driver who hit you. However, if a seat or head restraint fails catastrophically in a way that is inconsistent with its design, there may be a secondary product liability claim. We investigate all avenues of recovery.
The insurance adjuster says whiplash isn't a "real" injury. How do I prove it?
Adjusters call whiplash a "soft-tissue" injury to make it sound minor. We counter this by using your medical imaging (like MRIs) and expert testimony to show the physical tearing of ligaments and the resulting loss of motion. The IIHS’s use of T1 vertebra acceleration data proves that these are measurable, physical events, not just "aches and pains."
Does a 30-mph impact always cause whiplash?
The IIHS found that at 30 mph, the forces on the neck increase exponentially. Even in a car rated "good" for preventing whiplash, an unexpected impact can cause a concussion or severe strain. No safety feature can fully replace the protection provided by a safe, attentive driver.
How should I document my whiplash symptoms for my legal case?
Because whiplash is a "soft tissue" injury that does not always show up on a standard X-ray, your personal documentation is critical. We recommend keeping a daily log for the first 14 days following the crash.
Specifically, track:
- Range of Motion: Can you look over your shoulder to check your blind spot?
- Radiating Pain: Do you feel tingling or "pins and needles" in your arms or fingers?
- Secondary Symptoms: Are you experiencing "whiplash-associated disorders" like dizziness, blurred vision, or ringing in the ears?
- Sleep Impact: Does the neck pain wake you up or prevent you from finding a comfortable position?
Consistent documentation makes it much harder for an insurance adjuster to claim you are "exaggerating" your pain.
| Type of Symptom | What it feels like | Why it matters legally |
| Physical | Stiffness, "Heavy" head, Muscle spasms | Proves loss of normal function |
| Neurological | Numbness, Weakness in grip | Indicates potential nerve/disc damage |
| Cognitive | "Brain fog," Irritability, Fatigue | Documents the "Pain and Suffering" impact |
Don’t let an insurance adjuster minimize your whiplash injury
If you suffered whiplash in a car accident due to someone else's negligence, you have the right to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. The Law Offices of Casey D. Shomo, P.A., knows how debilitating whiplash injuries can be and how to help you maximize your recovery.
With over 30 years of experience and more than $85 million recovered for clients, Mr. Shomo has the expertise and proven track record to ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve for your whiplash injury. Mr. Shomo and his dedicated legal team will handle every aspect of your case so that you can focus on your recovery.
The best part is your consultation is completely free, and we work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing upfront for our services. There is zero financial risk to you. We proudly serve clients throughout Palm Beach County, including Palm Beach Gardens and surrounding communities. Contact us online or call today to book a free consultation with our legal team.
"Thanks to your tireless efforts and skillful representation, we achieved a successful outcome that exceeded our expectations! Your professionalism, guidance, and attention to detail were truly remarkable! Thank you once again for your outstanding service. We are forever appreciative of your hard work and dedication. All the best."- G & A M., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐