Headrests should be adjusted so that the head restraint contacts the back of the head. This helps prevent which injury?

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The main idea is that a properly positioned head restraint limits the head’s backward motion during a collision, which protects the neck from injury. When the headrest touches the back of the head, it acts as a brace to stop the head from snapping straight back in a rear-end impact, reducing the rapid strain on the neck known as whiplash. If the headrest is too low or too far away, the neck can hyperextend and suffer whiplash injuries, whereas a snug contact at the back of the head helps keep the neck aligned and cushioned. This is specifically about protecting neck structures, not the back, face, or shoulders, which are affected by other factors in a crash.