Whiplash claims

Whiplash claims

Whiplash is a term often used to describe the stretching back and forth of the ligaments and muscles in your neck, which can cause damage following a road traffic accident. The damage or injury can be short lived, or in severe cases can last many months and even years. In rare cases the symptoms can be permanent.

In a rear end shunt motor vehicle accident, the forces from the impact pushes the body forward, but the head can move back over, causing the muscles to be stretched. Then as the cars seatbelt does its job and stops the upper body going forward, the head is then forced forwards. It is the sudden movement of the head backwards and forwards that causes the damage to the neck, which has become known as whiplash.

Symptoms can differ from person to person and from accident to accident, as not always the same extent of force is applied. However, whiplash can cause headaches, dizziness, neck pain and stiffness, along with related postural and sleeping difficulties. Sometimes the damage caused can also involve the shoulders, middle and lower back, with related pain and discomfort.

Whiplash symptoms can come on straight after an accident, but it is also not uncommon for the symptoms to take a day or so to develop.

Whiplash can have a significant effect on peoples day to day lives and it is essential to take advice from a doctor as regards to the need for rehabilitation, such as physiotherapy, sooner rather than later.

If you have suffered from whiplash as a result of an accident that wasn’t your fault, you may have a claim for compensation.

The amount of compensation you will be entitled to differs depending on your injury and recovery period. For less serious symptoms which only last a few weeks, the average would be between £1,000 to £1,500. For more serious cases, whereby there may be permanent damage, the figure can be several thousand pounds. For a more accurate figure on how much compensation you are likely to receive use our claims calculator found in the Tools tab.

Our specialist personal injury solicitors understand the difficulties you will be going through if you are suffering with whiplash or other soft tissue spinal injuries. We will therefore do our utmost to achieve the best possible outcome and the compensation you deserve. We will handle all the necessary legal issues involved in making a claim for compensation in order that you can focus on your recovery.

If you were involved in accident that wasn’t your fault and have suffered with whiplash, contact our personal injury department to discuss your claim.