The most common cause of whiplash is motor vehicle accidents.
This injury occurs when a person's neck jerks suddenly following an acceleration-deceleration force.
The term "whiplash" was coined in 1928 and is still a non-medical term used to describe an injury to the ligaments, tendons, or muscles in a person's neck and back.
Doctors refer to whiplash as cervical sprains, strains, or hyperextension injuries that damage the bone structures and soft tissues.
Most whiplash injures are not life threatening but nonetheless serious whiplash can cause individuals to experience a lot of discomfort and partial disability for extended periods of time.
And while the majority of whiplash victims recover quickly, other victims still experience pain from the injury for many years after the accident.
Symptoms of Whiplash Most cases of whiplash are caused from rear impacts when the car the victim is riding in is not moving because it hyper extends the neck.
It is also common for these injuries to not appear until a day or two after the accident, so victims should be especially aware of how they are feeling in the aftermath.
Whiplash victims usually suffer from one or more of the following symptoms:

• Headaches
• Vision problems
• Loss of motion in the neck
• Sleep disturbances
• Severe neck pain
• Ringing in the ears or blurred vision
• Dizziness
• Shoulder pain and stiffness
• Jaw pain

The majority of whiplash victims try to treat injuries with over-the-counter pain medication coupled with physical therapy and massages.
You should consult your physician if you experience severe pain after a car accident.