RISK FACTORS
Risk is a member of the field of Epidemiology which basically means the study of disease patterns. Three components fall under the Epidemiology umbrella; Incidence, Prevalence and Risk. For this discussion we will focus on Risk, which is basically the chance of acquiring the disease/condition (whiplash in this case) when exposed to the factor(s) known to cause it (ie. occupying a vehicle which receives an impact from the rear, etc.).
Basically, it's a checklist. In other words, the more of the known risk factors you have going against you the greater the chance you have of being injured when the vehicle you are riding in is struck from the rear, regardless of the presence of minimal/no damage to the bumper system (or the insurance companies representatives/employees attempt to focus on the bumper isolators being 'stroked').
Realize the risk factors for being injured right after your vehicle being struck from behind (called an 'Acute' injury) are different than those for experiencing long term chronic 'Late' whiplash.
Acute Injury Factors (in no particular order of importance): your neck turned at impact, sitting in either front seat (worse if you were in the drivers seat), struck by a vehicle equal in mass (weight basically) or greater, *having a prior history of neck/back problems, being female (smaller body frame), being struck from the rear (v. side, front, oblique, etc. angles), not sitting perfectly straight (ie. Slouching, leaning ahead), looking left/right at impact, wearing your chest/lap belt (ALWAYS wear it!!!!!!! They are primarily designed to prevent you being propelled forward and death could result in not wearing it!!!!!), being an 'older' driver, being unprepared for the impact (ie. you were totally unaware and therefore were unable to brace for the collision), your seat back did NOT collapse backwards, vehicle striking yours was going less than 9-10 MPH at impact, there is greater than 2" between you're the back of your head and the front of the headrest when you are sitting in a typical relaxed driving posture (simply have someone take a ruler and measure it), not having your headrest positioned properly (ie. too low). etc,.
Chronic Whiplash Pain factors (again, in no particular order): intense initial symptoms (what you feel)-especially if they symptoms are immediate in onset post collision, having upper and/or lower back pain too, being female with decreased neck motion, headache(s), X-ray confirmed reversal of your neck curve, X-ray confirmed Osteoarthritis (degeneration of the bones), pain/numbness going into your arms, neck turned at impact, unprepared for the collision, being 'middle age' or >, reduced neck motion/pain initially, prior history of headaches or neck pain, wearing your chest/lap belt at impact (as above, ALWAYS wear it!!!!!!), etc.
Both lists are not totally complete. They are listed to give you an idea of the multitude of RISK FACTORS making you more vulnerable to being injured right after the low speed collision (acute) or long after the collision (late). It might interest you to know you have a 33% chance of being still injured 33 months after the collision! Remember in these collisions there is minimal to no damage to the cars.
Of special note is that it can take UP TO 72 HOURS post LOSRIC for the maximum intensity of the pain/symptoms to appear. Therefore, if any examinations performed on you fail to identify a pain/symptom causative diagnosis, immediately following the LOSRIC (Low Speed Rear Impact Collision), don't despair. Do not let those with a vested interest in minimizing your claim/case trap you into the common tactic of "How could you claim to be hurt days after the impact that was soft enough that it didn't even damage your car? After-all you were looked at by a doctor/your own doctor and they couldn't find anything." Sound familiar?
Regarding the 72 hour 'window' post collision, if you have been examined by any health care provider within that time and they have not been able to reproduce/isolate your complaint(s), utilizing standard orthopedic/provocation tests don't despair. Simply point out what I have stated here that in a LOSRIC it can take up to 3 days, post collision, for the maximum intensity of a chief complaint(s) to be felt.
Now that YOU know a sample of the factors putting you at risk for being injured in a 'LOSRIC' has anyone associated with your case asked you about them, i.e., your health care professionals, your legal counsel, the ICBC claims adjustor, etc.? If the answer is no-one then how can they determine the possibility you could have been injured?
*Watch out for the common tactic of blaming your level
of pain and disability
on the fact you had a prior history of neck/back complaint(s) before
the MVC (Motor Vehicle Crash). As reprehensible as that approach is
those using it know you have no idea as to where to easily find the
science which contradicts it. Well here it is!
So, should you wish to gauge your counsel/care provider(s) familiarity with these EXTREMELY common collisions, ask them "Which scientific literature cited risk factors have you documented that are specific to my case?" If you get a look like a deer caught in headlights (or fumbling with your file) and you can list them off but they can't, you might want to ask why. I point that out because when, and if, it comes time to write what is called a 'medical legal' report (or deal with a representative of your insurance provider) it is the above listed factors that can play a significant component of the weight given to the report. Because pain itself is more subjective (what you experience/feel) than objective (tests your health care provider(s) perform on you) it is the risk factors, specific to your case/claim, that are more often than not what explains what you are feeling.
If you are representing yourself and dealing with the insurance company recite any listed risk factors to them and see what they say. If they attempt to underscore/minimize them ask to see the literature backing up their assertion. All's you have to do is email/call me and I can easily supply them.
Remember, EVERY single factor(s) in the above mentioned
lists are backed by MULTIPLE scientific papers. Email me if you require
knowing the exact papers for reference.