UK WHIPLASH INJURY CLAIM ADVICE

Our solicitors are all members of the Law Society Panel of personal injury experts. We handle a whiplash injury claim with care and expertise and we work on a no win no fee basis which ensures that, win or lose, you will never be liable for any legal fees or expenses. We do not ask you to fund or finance your claim in any way and compensation is paid in full with absolutely no deductions. Our claims are totally risk free.

Medically speaking this injury is referred to as acceleration/deceleration syndrome which is a group of symptoms caused by an injury to the neck. It occurs when the tissue of the neck is strained and stretched after the body is thrown in a forceful and sudden jerk. It is most associated with rear impact car crashes that involve sudden deceleration however it can also be caused by side impact collisions and by other strenuous activities. Damages payable to victims in a whiplash injury claim can vary from £2,000 for a minor injury to in excess of £250,000 for those with a chronic or disabling condition.

The parts of the neck that can be affected include discs, cartilage, muscles, nerves and tendons. Swelling of the soft tissues results in pressure being exerted on the nerves which may in turn give rise to severe pain and other minor symptoms which include headaches, pain at the back of the neck, lumbar pains, tingling in the arms, exhaustion, sleep deprivation etc. These symptoms may not develop immediately following an accident but may develop over a few days after the accident. Vulnerable victims including those with a previous neck injury and the elderly can develop persistent and chronic symptoms following an accident. Usually a doctor can diagnose whiplash on the basis of past records of the injury and description of symptoms by the patient. Treatment for patients may include anti-inflammatory drugs, antidepressants, pain medications and muscle relaxants. Cervical traction, motion exercises and physiotherapy may also be prescribed.

In order to make a successful whiplash injury claim it is first necessary to prove that the other driver has been negligent. This is not usually a problem as the injury most frequently occurs as a result of a rear impact. Immediately after the accident it is essential that the injured person does everything they can to preserve evidence. Full details should be recorded at the scene of the accident including a record of the time date and location with the names addresses and registration numbers of all parties involved together with full details of any witnesses. Photographs of the location, the damage to vehicles and the injury should be taken shortly after the accident and anyone injured should make an urgent visit to a general practitioner or to the accident and emergency department of a local hospital. This medical record will be of paramount importance at a later stage of the claim.

For free legal advice, please call our helpline or alternatively complete the online contact form and a member of our specialist team will be get back to you to discuss your claim at no cost and with no obligation.