Whiplash Injury Claims Solicitors

UK Whiplash Injury Claims Solicitors

Every accident victim has the right to be compensated for sustained whiplash injuries. However, navigating the legal system can be difficult and time-consuming. That's why The Claim Help Team is here to help with your claim process. We'll do all of the hard work for you by taking care of everything from start to finish – including dealing with insurance companies on your behalf! If you're looking for a solicitor in London or anywhere else in England, get in touch today.

We will start you off with a free, no-obligation consultation with a personal injury lawyer near you. Our goal is to get you maximum compensation for your injuries as quickly as possible, which means we'll use all of our legal knowledge and negotiating skills to fight your case. Give us a call today on 0800 710 1010 or fill in our online contact form to get started.

What is Whiplash Claims

Whiplash is a common injury suffered in car collisions when the head and neck are forcibly jerked forward and backwards, typically when the driver in front slams on his or her brakes. This can cause soft tissue injuries to the muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, discs in the neck, and damage to the spine and joints. Whiplash can be very painful and may take a long time to recover from due to nerve pain, muscle spasms and stiffness in the neck.

Many people find it difficult to return to normal activities after whiplash, and some cannot work for long periods.

Signs and Symptoms of Whiplash Injuries

Neck pain, stiffness or tenderness.
Dizziness and headache.
Numbness, tingling or weakness in the arms or hands.
Shoulder and upper back pain and soreness.
Arm pain or numbness at night while sleeping.
Difficulty with balance and coordination (ataxia).
Fatigue.

Types of Whiplash Injuries

There are two types of whiplash injuries: Soft/acute and chronic injuries.

Acute or soft tissue injury consists of muscle strains, ligament sprains, joint dislocations and nerve damage. These injuries can occur immediately after an accident but can take up to three months before symptoms appear - even longer for chronic whiplash symptoms.

Chronic or soft tissue injury is often long-term and is typically visible three months after an accident. Sometimes, it can take years before symptoms appear. The symptoms will depend on the severity of your whiplash injuries but can include chronic pain, spasms, loss of mobility and strength in the neck muscles, headache, numbness/tingling in the arms or hands, low back pain, etc.

Most Common Types of Accidents that Cause Whiplash

Car accidents are the most common cause of whiplash injuries. The most common types include:

Sideswipe collisions that push a car into another in front, behind or to the side.
Rear-end collisions where a car hits from behind at high speed.
"T-bones" where a car crashes into another broadside.
Skiing wipeouts or 'heliskiing' where a skier or snowboarder is hurled over the edge of a cliff, bumping his or her head as they go down.
Sports injuries are also a common cause of whiplash, particularly in sports where ducking or diving is involved.

How Long Does Whiplash Last?

Whiplash symptoms typically last for a few weeks or months after an accident, and it can take anywhere from a couple of years to forever for the symptoms to disappear. Any injury to the nerves, muscles or tendons takes time to heal properly, and this is particularly true in whiplash cases as many victims suffer from chronic whiplash symptoms.

What Treatment Is Provided for Whiplash Injuries?

Treatment is provided depending on the severity of your injury and what type of treatment works best to relieve the pain.

Painkillers (NSAIDs) - These medications work to reduce inflammation and ease nerve pain in your body.
Physiotherapy - This is a standard treatment that helps you maintain physical movement while also easing pain. Physiotherapy in whiplash injuries aims to help restore strength and flexibility to your neck, shoulders and limbs.
Physiotherapy - The aim of physiotherapy in whiplash injuries is to help restore strength and flexibility to the neck, shoulders and limbs.
CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) - CBT involves a process that helps the patient recognize and change negative thoughts about injuries. This can help reduce stress levels, anxiety and depression, making the recovery period easier to handle.

There are many other treatments available for whiplash injuries - including acupuncture, massage and surgical procedures.

The most important part of your treatment is to ensure that you have a safe recovery period. Any activities which cause more pain should be avoided at all costs, as this can lead to a longer-term impairment of the neck.

What Is a Typical Whiplash Settlement?

The typical whiplash compensation in the United Kingdom is between £1,000 and £3,000 for minor injuries with mild discomfort and headaches that last from a few days to a few weeks. More severe whiplash injuries can settle for up to almost £100,000.

What Can Compensation Help With?

Compensation for a whiplash injury can help with the costs of:

Painkillers and other medications.
Medical treatment for whiplash injuries.
A diagnosis from a doctor.
Psychological treatment for pain and suffering if someone else's negligence or carelessness caused the accident – often, this is necessary in cases of long term injury.
Wheelchair, crutches or walking stick hire if necessary.
Reasonable and necessary care and assistance at home if you are not able to do routine daily tasks.

You can also get compensation for the following after a car accident:

Lost wages if you are off work after the accident.
Pain, suffering and mental anguish.
Disfigurement (if your injuries leave you with "permanent scarring").
Loss of bodily function (if your injuries leave you unable to use a particular body part).
Permanent disability.
Punitive damages if the at-fault driver's behaviour is particularly reckless or negligent.

The Typical Whiplash Compensation Process

Whiplash injury claims usually follow a five-part process which includes:

Taking witness statements from any witnesses to the accident.
Obtaining police incident reports and details of the driver from the Police if they were involved in the accident.
Consulting with medical experts to gain their opinion on your claim.
Submitting a whiplash compensation claim to the negligent driver's insurance company.
Negotiating and settling the claim for whiplash compensation.

How a Professional Whiplash Injury Attorney Can Help

A UK personal injury lawyer could help you with any or all of these aspects of your claim:

Advocating for you and helping to win a settlement from the insurance company.
Conducting negotiations with the insurance company to reach an agreeable settlement amount for whiplash injuries.
Proving that the accident was not your fault.
Demonstrating that you are suffering from whiplash injuries and presenting evidence to back up these claims by obtaining medical records and witness statements.
Assigning blame to the negligent driver of the vehicle in question if they were responsible for the car crash that caused your whiplash injuries.
Locate expert witnesses who can back up your claims with evidence.
Helping you file your claim to the insurance company.
Contacting an insurance adjuster if the at-fault driver does not have any liability coverage so that they are held accountable for their actions.
Settling your claim for whiplash compensation.

What to Do If You Suspect Whiplash Injuries?

If someone has hit you and it hurts, the first thing to do should be to visit a doctor as soon as possible. It's likely that your injuries will only be minor whiplash, which can be treated at home with rest and painkillers. Still, it's better to be safe than sorry - unless your pain is exceptionally minor, keep the appointment.

As you do this, make sure you keep track of the time and date of the accident. It's important to remember this because it can affect whether or not you are eligible for PIP (personal injury protection) benefits from the insurance company. You can call the insurance company to determine whether they are willing to pay you PIP benefits for whiplash injuries. Still, it is best to have an official diagnosis from a medical professional before starting this process.

What Not To Do When You Suffer Whiplash Injuries

Do not sign any papers or accept any offers from the insurance company until you have taken the time to speak with a professional solicitor who specializes in whiplash.

Do not tell your insurance company that you are injured if you are not sure about your injuries. It is better to be safe than sorry, but do not claim any more than you need to either!

If you suspect that you may suffer whiplash injuries, but you are not sure, it is best to go and see a doctor as soon as possible.

Do not give a recorded statement to the insurance company without speaking to a solicitor first. You will have to provide a recorded statement eventually, but it is best to talk with someone who knows what they are doing before starting this process!

When Can I Receive Compensation?

The whiplash injury compensation you receive will depend on how severe your injuries are and what caused the accident.

If it's clear that you were hit by another car or object, then the at-fault party is responsible for your damages and should pay up as soon as possible – ideally within a few days of the incident.

If you have trouble reaching an agreement without the help of a lawyer, then your first step should be to call us on 0800 710 1010, and one of our specialist lawyers will tell you how much compensation you may be entitled to for your whiplash injury.

What Evidence Do You Need for Whiplash Claim?

If you want to be successful in claiming for whiplash, the first thing that you need to do is gather some evidence. It is essential that you speak with a UK motor vehicle accident attorney before collecting this information.

Evidence can include:

Medical records - These records should contain your initial injury assessment after the accident, then any diagnosis or treatment that followed, and finally, how your injuries are currently being treated.
Any photos you took of the scene
Eyewitness
Receipts from money spent on your injuries.
You should also get proof of payment (so, a copy of the receipt) and if possible, evidence that the money has been paid.
Any other evidence that can support your claim includes notes from a doctor or hospital visit and any medications you had to buy following the accident.

How Long Does a Whiplash Claim Take?

A whiplash claim can take anywhere between 6 months to 2 years. It will depend on the severity of your injury, how long you spend recovering, and whether there is insurance coverage for at-fault parties.

Generally speaking, any injuries which are considered minor may take around 6 months to settle.

What Are the Risks of Not Getting Compensation?

There are many risks involved with not getting compensation for whiplash injuries - which is why you need to consult with an expert if at all possible.

Some common risks include:

Being forced to pay for your medical treatments
Losing critical legal rights - there are strict time limits on when you have the right to claim compensation via a solicitor. If you miss these deadlines, then many of your rights could be lost.
Not getting any coverage for expenses
Getting less money than you are owed

Get Help from Expert Whiplash Injury Claim Solicitors: No Win No Fee

As we've said, whiplash is a severe and often devastating injury. Getting the support and guidance of expert solicitors who understand whiplash injuries can help you navigate any legal actions that may come from the accident.

Our no win no fee whiplash claim help means exactly what it sounds like: there will be no upfront costs until you win the case (which you will).

For more details and a free case assessment/consultation, call us on 0800 710 1010 or fill our free claim assessment form.

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This range of compensation covers the amputation of both complete arms, the amputation of a single arm, or whether an arm is amputated partially or completely. Future restrictions will also be considered. (This figure doesn't take into account special damages).

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