Whiplash injury compensation

Whiplash injury compensation

Whiplash injury compensation

spinal whiplash compensation Whiplash is a word used to describe the type of injury that can be caused when your neck is stretched or strained by your head moving backwards and forwards quickly whilst your body is restrained by a seatbelt. The weight of your head being thrown about puts great strain on the soft tissues around the neck. This type of injury is frequently a result of a rear end collision, but can occur in frontal and side impacts too. Anything not restrained in the vehicle will continue moving at speed. In this way, considerable damage can be done to the soft tissues around the neck, often resulting in a whiplash injury. The shoulders and upper body will usually have been restrained by a seatbelt, and whilst some cars are fitted with head restraints on the seats, they do not stop the head jerking quickly in a collision, putting considerable strain on the neck, and causing the "whiplash" injury effect.

Car accidents are a frequent cause of whiplash claims, because of the way the vehicle reacts to an impact, accelerating or decelerating very quickly in a way that can cause the occupants neck and whiplash injury. All of the common most symptoms of whiplash can be traced either directly or indirectly to the trauma your neck experienced. Whiplash injuries are very common, always a surprise and rarely the fault of the victim. Most whiplash injuries are minor and heal within a few weeks with the proper care. Unfortunately, a small number of patients - about 20 to 30% of whiplash injury cases - become chronic and lead to long-term discomfort.

Generally, the heavier the collision, the more severe the whiplash injury, and the younger you are, the faster you will recover, but every case is different. Some people find it very hard to get back to normal after a whiplash injury, and suffer intermittently for years. Others recover fully much faster than might be expected. Expert medical opinion can be very helpful in a whiplash injury case, and your specialist solicitor will probably regard it as essential if the pain lasts for any length of time. It is better to be confident about your whiplash injury recovery rather than just settling your whiplash claim quickly in the hope that you will recover.

Seeking Whiplash Compensation

Many people who have fallen victim to a whiplash accident do not make a claim for compensation because they believe it is complicated and expensive; this is simply not the case. Whatever the type of accident you may have been involved in, if it was somebody else’s fault, you may be entitled to make a 100% no win no fee compensation claim.

Compensation

We appreciate that compensation will not make up for the accident you have been involved in however it will certainly assist you getting on with your life. Whiplash Compensation can prove imperative in some claims, such as where a disability has been suffered and the injured person’s home requires modifying. Whiplash Compensation is sometimes needed to pay for medical care for an ongoing injury or even to make up for future earnings which will be lost.

How Much Whiplash Compensation Will I Receive

Every whiplash claim will need to be judged on its own merits. No two injuries are the same. The sum of compensation you will receive will be based on your individual circumstances. You can rest assured that as a result of our solicitors' expertise you will receive the correct amount of compensation for your injury claim.
When valuing a whiplash claim several factors are considered these include the type of injury and severity of the injury suffered. Solicitors and barristers will rely on a number of sources to value a claim including the Judicial Studies board guidelines. This part of the claim is known as general damages. As well as the actual injury parties incur various financial expenses e.g. travel costs and loss of earnings. Both general and special damages are discussed in further detail below.

General Damages

The principal items claimed in this category are for "pain and suffering" and "loss of amenity". Pain describes the physical pain caused or consequential to the injury arising directly out of the accident. Suffering is the mental aspect of the injury and includes anxiety and stress. Amenity means the loss of enjoyment of life.

Special damages

As stated above special damages cover the other financial losses which have been and will be incurred as a result of an accident e.g. any medications, loss of earnings or out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a result of the accident. Other items that can be claimed under category include:-
nursing care full or part time
conversion of cars for permanently disabled victims
repairs to cars, motorcycles or bicycles, a hire car, loss of no claims bonus or excess

Costs of medical treatment

Special damages take into consideration any losses which may be incurred in the future including loss of earnings.
How to know if you are entitled to whiplash compensation
If you have had a whiplash accident and suffered an injury as a result someone else’s negligence, you may be able to make a personal injury claim for compensation.
If you have suffered an injury as a result of a whiplash accident and you wish to make a compensation claim, we can assist. Our personal injury solicitors work on a no win, no fee basis and we will protect you from legal costs so no matter what the outcome of your car accident claim, you will not have to pay a penny to anyone.
To find out more or to make your claim, call the Accident Injury Line on 0800 011 2172