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BACKGROUND: Highway accidents increase year by year, and the most vulnerable area is the neck. Finite element analysis can be used to study the mechanical mechanism of cervical injury. Most of researches focus on the optimization of the model and low-speed collision conditions, but the association of neck injury with cervical tension stress is little reported. OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanical mechanism of neck injuries caused by traffic accidents, and to compare the von Mises and axial stress of the cervical vertebrae. METHODS: A cervical spine model including cervical vertebrae, intervertebral disc, ligament, muscle, facet joint was set up. The model was validated based on the experimental data of the former impact volunteers. The dynamic response of the cervical vertebrae was achieved using the finite element method (80, 120, and 160 km/h). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The established upper cervical model had a high biosimulation, which could be used in studies on the cervical injury and each part injury caused by traffic accidents. (2) Under high-speed post-impact condition, the cervical injury became severe with speed increasing, especially C4 level. (3) The axial stress was more available to assess the injury of cancellous bone than von Mises. (4) After high-speed post-impact, the vertebrae diaplaced, especially at 120 km/h, thereby causing articular separation and fracture, further inducing nerve root injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]