What Is Whiplash?

Whiplash is the term used to describe a neck injury caused by a sudden movement of the head forwards, backwards or sideways. Whiplash is commonly associated with motor car accidents, usually when the car has been hit by another vehicle from behind or from the side. However, whiplash can also be the result of a fall from a bicycle or motorcycle or from a horse. Whiplash is the number one injury covered by car insurers in the UK. It is thought that at least 200,000 people in the UK are affected by whiplash each year and that nearly 20% of people involved in rear-end collisions later suffer whiplash symptoms.

Statistics from the Association of British Insurers also show that more than 2,000 of people who suffer whiplash injuries end up with permanent disabilities. On the surface the injuries may appear less obvious, but sometimes accidents can cause initially unnoticeable damage to joints, ligaments and bones that can be very serious.

In a whiplash injury, the ligaments in the neck are sprained. The ligament, (the fibrous connective tissues that link two bones together at a joint) is overstretched due to the sudden force of the accident, and although the ligament is not broken it can often take a long time to heal. This healing time can greatly affect mobility and a person may have to take time off work to recover and this can result in a loss of earnings.

Symptoms of whiplash include pain, stiffness and a temporary loss of movement in the neck. Sometimes even dizziness. The pain and stiffness can sometimes extend down to the shoulders and arms. In severe cases, whiplash can cause memory loss, problems concentrating, tinnitus and depression. It is always advisable to seek medical advice and treatment from your GP following your accident.

The recovery period from a whiplash injury varies as much as the severity of the injury can do. Some people make a quick recovery, but for others symptoms of pain and restricted movement can last a long time, it can even be permanent. A whiplash injury can be diagnosed relatively easily by a simple examination or an x-ray. This can then determine the extent of the damage that has been sustained. The severity of the injury will also establish how much compensation you could claim.

As the nature of recovery from whiplash is quite unpredictable, it is important to seek legal advice in order to establish whether you have a case for a claim. Accident Consult will be able to advise you on the best way to pursue your claim and will be able to calculate an appropriate amount of compensation for you.

Accident Consult offers a 'No Win No Fee' service so there really isn’t anything to lose. If you think that you have a whiplash claim then contact Accident Consult today for more information.