Whiplash Accident Claims

Whiplash accident claims fall into the category of minor neck injuries. This type of injury causes significant pain and discomfort to the neck and surrounding areas. If you have been involved in a road accident that was not your fault and you are suffering from a whiplash injury then you will be entitled to compensation.

Whiplash occurs when your head is violently jerked forward, or backwards, from an impact or blow. Although this is usually associated with car accidents, it can occur in any circumstance where a sudden force is applied to your body. Depending on the strength of the force, this can cause the muscles and tendons in your neck to tear. People that participate in high impact sports can be more prone to neck strain as their muscles and tendons take more abuse. If you have been in an accident and you feel any of these symptoms below, you may be experiencing whiplash.

• Pain
• Decreased Range of Motion
• Tightness in the Neck
• Knotted Muscles
• Pain when rocking Your Head
• Stiffness When Looking Over Your Shoulder
• Headaches
• Tenderness
• What is Whiplash?

What is a Delayed Whiplash Injury?
In some instances, the pain from your neck injury may not be felt immediately. It can take days until the full extent of your whiplash injury sets in. This means you need to stay vigilant about monitoring your pain. If you start to feel any of the symptoms listed above, you should visit your doctor immediately.

Ice Your Neck
Icing your neck helps to reduce swelling and discomfort caused by neck injuries. If you experience whiplash you should ice your neck immediately. Repeat this icing procedure for 15 minutes a day, every 3 days or until the pain has subsided. If your skin is sensitive to the ice, you can place it in a plastic bag and then wrap a towel around it

Pain Killers
Doctor prescribed pain medication is another effective strategy to follow if you need to reduce the discomfort felt during whiplash. Always follow the directions when taking pain medication, as many have serious side effects including addiction and serious potential for overdose. Try the over the counter pain medications first and if they don’t do the job, then proceed to a higher powered solution. Below is a list of the most popular over the counter pain medications available in Scotland.

• Paracetamol
• Naproxen
• NSAIDs
• Ibuprofen

Neck Brace
In some cases, your doctor may recommend that you wear a neck brace. This can inhibit your ability to work and may result in additional compensation. A neck brace can be a smart short-term solution to whiplash but if worn too long, it can actually weaken the muscles in your neck.

How is Whiplash Compensation Calculated?
The amount of compensation you will receive is determined with reference to recent case law and the Judicial College in their guidelines for personal injury awards They are frequently updated and available here. Contact us today for a free consultation.

The Most Common Causes of Whiplash?
Car accidents are by far the leading cause of neck injuries such as whiplash. When your car suddenly jerks from the impact of an accident your neck is put under a great amount of strain. Slipping, falling, or being struck on the head can also induce whiplash. The “whipping” action your head makes is what causes this injury and also what gives this type of injury its popular name. Whiplash can be painful and if your claim is mishandled it can result in a significant financial loss.

Making a Successful Claim
You generally have up to three years from the date of your accident to intimate a claim. You will be required to prove that the injuries you have suffered were as a result of the accident and that the other driver was at fault. Each case is examined on an individual basis.

How Compensation Could Help You
Your compensation is effectively a payment for your pain and suffering. There might be additional compensation to cover out of pocket or foreseeable costs towards your recovery. You could receive compensation for the following: –

• Present and Future Medical Costs
• Loss of Physical or Mental Capacity
• General Pain and Suffering
• Lost Earnings Due to Missed Work
• Lost Earning if Unable to Return to Work
• Property Damage

Will Your Claim Succeed?
If liability has been accepted then our job is to ensure that you receive the maximum amount of compensation available to you. If liability is contested, you may be required to gather statements from witnesses. You will also need any other evidence such as photos or videos from the scene that can support your case. The insurance company might also want to see an engineer’s reports as well as other expert evidence. If you have been in an accident and have contacted the police, then a road traffic accident report will also support your claim.

Understanding No Win, No Fee Arrangements
No Win No Fee agreements or Conditional Fee Agreements (CFAs) are widely used in Scotland as a means of “funding” personal injury compensation claims. A traditional CFA agreement states; you don’t pay anything in the unusual event your compensation claim is not awarded. Lifting this financial burden helps the injured to focus on a speedy road to recovery, without worrying about the expense.

Start the Whiplash Compensation Process​​

Contact us today to receive a free consultation and assessment.