Approximately 550,000 whiplash claims are made every year in the UK, and most of them are caused by a road traffic accident. If you’ve suffered whiplash due to someone else’s careless driving, you may be eligible for compensation and it’s worth contacting our team of experts.
We can help to create a successful whiplash injury claim on your behalf and will seek the financial justice you deserve, both for the physical injury and any monetary losses you have incurred.
To discuss your case with our road traffic accident solicitors, call 0800 110 5888.
Why choose us to assist with your whiplash injury claim?
As specialists in road traffic accidents, particularly whiplash compensation claims, we understand the repercussions of this common (albeit painful) injury. Your mobility may have been affected. You may not be able to work or drive. It’s bound to have been a difficult time for you and your family.
In some cases, the symptoms of whiplash ease quite quickly. But in others, they can be permanent and may have a long-lasting negative effect on your day-to-day life. That’s why it’s so important to pursue your rightful compensation. And whatever the severity of your whiplash, we’re here to help.
Our goal is to make the process of claiming as smooth and straightforward as possible. In fact, we can oversee the entire whiplash claims process on your behalf. From gathering the initial evidence to negotiating a settlement, we’ll take care of it all – leaving you to focus on your recovery.
We have a team of road traffic accident solicitors who are specialised and experienced in this area. And by applying their know-how – and working closely with consultant insurers, barristers, and medics – they will do everything they can to achieve the best possible outcome.
What’s more, we always work on a ‘no win no fee’ basis – allowing you to submit your whiplash claim with no financial risk to yourself. For an injury that wasn’t your fault, we believe it’s only fair.
Am I eligible to make a whiplash claim?
A whiplash claim can be made by absolutely anyone involved in an accident.
Whether you were the driver, a passenger in a car or on public transport, or even a cyclist or pedestrian – and regardless of whether you’ve been involved in previous accidents or have a pre-existing condition (such as fibromyalgia, chronic neck pain etc.) – it really doesn’t matter.
There are just two main criteria required for you to take legal action:
- You must have suffered whiplash in an accident that happened in the last 3 years
- That accident must have been someone else’s fault, whether partially or fully
It’s also possible to claim for whiplash compensation on behalf of a child, any time before they reach the age of 18. From the day of their 18th birthday, they can then choose to make a claim themselves – but the 3 year limit will apply, and they’ll have until their 21st birthday to do so.
If your whiplash injury was sustained abroad, things get a little more complex. The time limit for making a claim may be different to those here. You may still be able to start proceedings under UK law, but this will depend on the circumstances of the accident and exactly where it happened. In which case, the best option is to contact our road traffic accident solicitors for tailored advice.
How to claim for whiplash
Taking the first step towards your whiplash compensation is easy. Just get in touch.
We’re always on hand and happy to assist. Having listened to your circumstances – including how the injury was sustained, the severity of your symptoms, and their impact on your life – we can advise on both your eligibility to make a whiplash claim and the likelihood of your success.
We’ll never rush or pressure you into starting a claim. It’s your decision and we’re just here to offer help if you want it. But if you do wish to go ahead, we can begin proceedings on your behalf – guiding you step-by-step through the legal process, whilst also supporting your rehabilitation.
Nobody deserves to be injured due to someone else’s dangerous driving. So, whether you were a driver, passenger, cyclist or pedestrian – if you’ve suffered whiplash and it wasn’t your fault, call us today on 0800 110 5888 and start your whiplash injury claim. Alternatively, you can fill out our online form and our road traffic accident solicitors will respond within 48 hours.
NO WIN
NO FEE!
Request your FREE consultation
What is whiplash?
Whiplash is the medical term for a neck injury, caused by sudden movement of the head.
In most cases, it’s caused by the unexpected acceleration and deceleration of a rear-end traffic collision – in which the neck is snapped forwards and backwards (like a whip). But it can also happen when playing contact sports, as a result of a slip or fall, or due to another type of physical trauma.
The injury typically involves the soft tissue of the neck, and the most common symptoms include:
- neck pain
- neck stiffness
- difficulty moving the head
- headaches
- pain and muscle spasms in the shoulders and arms
- upper and lower back pain
- swelling
- tingling or numbness
- blurred vision
- dizziness
- fatigue
- nausea
- difficulty sleeping
Not only can whiplash be extremely painful, it can also get progressively worse. Most people tend to recover within 2-3 months. But for others, it can become a long-term and debilitating condition – causing severe discomfort and reducing their ability to drive, work and do their normal activities.
Either way, if you have (or have had) whiplash due to an accident that wasn’t your fault, it’s only right that you seek whiplash injury compensation for the pain and suffering experienced. And our solicitors are here to guide you through the legal process, whilst also supporting your rehabilitation.
What are the whiplash reforms of 2021?
On 31st May 2021, the rules for making a whiplash injury claim changed in two key ways:
First and foremost, the ‘small claims court threshold’ rose from £1000 to £5000. This change is designed to decrease the number of exaggerated or fraudulent claims, whilst also reducing insurance premiums for drivers. But unfortunately, it does mean you’re now unable to instruct our road traffic accident solicitors to make a whiplash claim that’s worth £5000 or less. Instead, your claim will need to be made via the Official Injury Claims Portal.
The government also introduced a tariff, which correlates the amount of whiplash compensation awarded to the duration of the injury and whether it’s affected you physically and/or psychologically. According to this tariff, pay-outs range from £240 to £4345.
If you’re unsure if your whiplash injuries are worth more than £5000, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team. After a quick initial consultation, we should be able to advise on both your eligibility to make a claim and the most appropriate course of action – whether that be applying online via the new portal or instructing our specialist solicitors to oversee the claim on your behalf.
How much whiplash compensation will I get?
Whiplash can affect people in very different ways and every claim is unique. Therefore, at this stage, it’s difficult for us to say outright, exactly how much compensation you may be entitled to.
But rest assured, our road traffic accident solicitors review each case on a completely individual basis. As well as looking at the pain and suffering caused by your whiplash, we also consider:
- your loss of earnings
- any medical expenses (such as private treatments and prescription costs)
- travel and accommodation costs (e.g. when visiting the hospital)
- the wider impact of your injury (e.g. on your family, hobbies, social activities)
- the future impact of your injury
Ultimately, our goal is to develop an accurate understanding of your injury and how it’s affected your life. And we’ll do everything we can to ensure you get the financial help that’s right for you.
