Auto accidents cause a variety of injuries. The most obvious are broken bones, cuts, and internal injuries. But the most common auto accident injury is to the neck or back. Neck and back strains and pains, soft-tissue injuries to muscles, ligaments and tissues are sometimes called "whiplash." Soft-tissue injuries (whiplash) can cause headaches, dizziness, nervousness, depression, nausea, anxiety and shock to the nervous system. While not life-threatening, soft-tissue injuries create pain and stress that last for a long time. Injury to the head, neck, shoulders and back can even lead to more debilitating injuries if not treated properly. Rear-end car collisions can sprain or strain delicate tissues of the neck and back near the spinal cord.