Whiplash is a neck injury that occurs due to a sudden and forceful back-and-forth motion of the neck, similar to the cracking of a whip. It is commonly associated with rear-end car accidents but can also result from sports injuries, physical abuse, or other trauma. Symptoms of whiplash may include neck pain and stiffness, headaches, dizziness, and sometimes cognitive or psychological issues.
[Last updated in July of 2024 by the Wex Definitions Team]