Could Having A Tow-ball On Your Bumper Increase The Risk Of Whiplash?

One of the most common types of personal injury after a car collision is whiplash, a usually painful yet temporary condition. Whiplash can happen when a car is hit from the rear, causing the victim to be jolted forward suddenly. Recent research has now suggested that having a tow-ball on a vehicle bumper can significantly increase the risk of whiplash.

The subject of whiplash and personal injury claims has been much discussed in the media with many insurance experts claiming that the rapid increase in insurance compensation payouts has led to hefty rises in car insurance premiums. Some insurance professionals claim that a substantial proportion of claims are fraudulent and are lobbying government for a change in the law for personal injury claims to make it easier for genuine victims and purchasers of car insurance.

Getting the right type of tow-ball

Unsuitably designed tow-balls can increase the risk of whiplash, according to motoring professionals, yet motorists can reduce the risk of whiplash by changing the type of tow-ball they use. Because of the way a tow-ball is situated on a vehicle, it means that if the car is hit from the rear then the impact will be worse because of the placing of the tow-ball. To reduce the impact's force, drivers can use a tow-ball that will absorb more of the collision and therefore reduce the risk of whiplash or other type of personal injury to the car's occupants.

One type tow-ball available on the market that could reduce the risk of whiplash is designed to work in an accident via a series of energy absorbing rings attached to the mount's stalk. Because the energy absorbing rings are bolted behind the hitch balls, the absorbers are crushed in the event of an impact, taking the energy from the crash. This stops the majority of the impact force dispersing into the rest of the vehicle, substantially reducing the strength of the jolt that can cause whiplash or other personal injuries.

Personal injury claims

If you are injured in a car accident and suffer whiplash, it's worth considering whether the tow-ball on your vehicle could be changed. But it's also important to get advice from a legal professional if your injuries mean you have to take time off work or get specialist help for your recovery. By making a personal injury claim you could receive compensation that will cover the cost of essential medical treatment, especially if the accident was not your fault.

Many personal injury lawyers work by a no win no fee basis, so you will not have to pay any charges and usually get to keep all of the compensation awarded. Preventing the risk of injury by ensuring your vehicle specifications can reduce the strength of any impact, especially by replacing a tow-ball with one with shock absorbers could prevent you from having to make any claims for personal injury in the first place. This innovative new design could make quite a difference to the number of whiplash claims made in the UK every year, as well as offering an additional layer of protection for the occupants.