Whiplash Injury Compensation
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Claiming for whiplash injuries

We have all heard the term "whiplash", but what does it actually mean?

It is an injury to the neck (i.e. the cervical vertebrae, tendons and muscles) resulting from rapid acceleration or deceleration.

This often occurs in car accidents when the car you are travelling in stops quickly due to a collision but your body keeps moving forwards until restrained by the seat belt. Your head and neck are not restrained so move much further forward than your body. After moving forwards your head and neck “whip” backwards and this rapid movement causes strain in the neck

3rd Dec 2007 - update

Study suggests compensation has not increased in line with inflation

A recent study that compared whiplash awards from 1997 to 2007, has suggested that despite comments to the contrary, awards have not increased as expected. You can very often receive the same award now in 2007 as you would have done for making a whiplash claim in 1997. This flies in the face of comments made by various insurance based bodies that the UK is in the grip of a blame & claim culture. There is no evidence to suggest this is the case and in fact numbers in many sectors are dropping.

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Whiplash injury claims are very common and almost 90% of people injured in car accidents suffer from whiplash. Another common injury is seat belt bruising, caused by the body being restrained from moving forward by the seat belt.

If you have been involved in a car crash you are likely to suffer from a stiff neck with restricted movement. You may also suffer from headaches and blurred vision. It is vital that you see your GP, and very often physical manipulative treatment by a chiropractor, osteopath or physiotherapist can give rapid release from symptoms.

Your GP may tell you there is a long waiting list on the NHS for such treatment, or even that such treatment is not covered by the NHS, however in either case as you are the innocent victim of a car accident, it is reasonable for you to receive treatment privately and to expect the other party’s insurance company to pay for the treatment.

Many insurers recognise that the early treatment of injuries reduces the symptoms thereby enabling the injured person to return to work more quickly and therefore reducing the compensation they have to pay. A number of insurers have physiotherapists or osteopaths available around the country and they will sometimes arrange treatment before they have conceded liability. These rehabilitation programmes are becoming more and more common. We always ask the insurer is such a programme is available if our client is suffering.
 

Once the symptoms have settled down, we will then arrange for a medical report usually from an accident and emergency consultant or an orthopaedic consultant. The report will explain what injuries you suffered as a result of the accident, how they affect you in your day to day life, and how long it has taken for you to recover. Thankfully in most cases these injuries do seem to resolve completely about one to two years after the accident although occasionally there are permanent symptoms such as restricted neck movement.
 

The severity of the pain and the time it has taken for recovery influence the value of whiplash injury claims. In the event of a relatively minor injury with long term residual symptoms damages can be in the range of £4,000 to £7,000. Damages of up to about £3,000 are applicable for injuries which clear fully within two years. We ensure that our clients recover 100% of their compensation. Win or lose there is no charge.

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If we represent you we guarantee:

You receive 100% of your compensation

We work on a No win No fee basis - win or lose there are no fees

You deal with regulated solicitors from the moment you call

Your claim is completely risk free.

We can help you with a cycle accident compensation claim. Our firm has the following legal accreditations:

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Road Accidents

If you have suffered road crash injuries we can help you with our no nonsense claims service. more info

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Accidents in the workplace

If you are one of the thousands of people injured at work each year you should consider making a claim.    more info

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Whiplash injuries

Our specialists team can help you claim compensation and rehabilitate from a whiplash related injury. more info

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Trip slip or fall accidents

If you have fallen on the street, in a shop or other public place and suffered personal injury you may be able to claim compensation. more info

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Useful legal links

About Whiplash injuries

NHS Direct

British Chropractic Association

Chartered Society of Physiotherapists