According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, whiplash can occur when there is a sudden distortion of the neck, often associated with rear-end crashes. Neck pain and strains are the most common injury reported to auto insurance companies. Effective head restraints help move an occupant's head forward with the body in a rear-end crash and decrease the likelihood of sustaining a whiplash injury. It is important that the head restraints are appropriately adjusted according to the vehicle owner’s manual.

For more information on whiplash and a list of head restraint ratings, visit IIHS.