New research announced today by the ABI will help insurers more quickly identify patients with potentially chronic whiplash neck injuries to ensure that they receive the best medical care as soon as possible.
Factors such as being in a vehicle hit from behind, being stationary at time of collision, and not being at fault in the accident can help predict, with up to 70% accuracy, the likelihood of a person reporting new neck pain following a collision.
The risk of a person developing long-term, persistent neck pain can be best predicted by a combination of risk factors such as widespread pre-accident pain and a high degree of psychological distress.
Following up this research, the ABI will soon be producing guidance for GPs setting out the factors that are helpful in predicting those at risk of developing whiplash pain, and possibly a chronic condition, to help them in their treatment and recovery.