Not exactly...to be more accurate...

Running into something that stops your forward motion (the ground) causes your head to whip forward, then whip back after reaching the forward limits of your spine. (RIP Dale Sr.) That's whiplash and it's what messed up my neck in 1985. (Totalled my TR-7...)

Any collision, from front or rear, causes whiplash. Ask your local neurosurgeon or chiropractor.

Paul A.