WHIPLASH INJURY COMPENSATION CLAIM

In a rear-end vehicle collision, a persons body is suddenly accelerated forwards however the head has a tendency to lag behind whereupon the neck is bent backwards suddenly and excessively. First there is hyper-extension followed by hyper-flexion of the neck which causes injury. About 20 percent of people involved in a rear-end collision experience discomfort in the neck and whilst most recover quickly, a small number develop chronic conditions that result in severe pain and sometimes disability. Most rear end collisions are the fault of a third party and a whiplash injury compensation claim will almost always succeed.

In the case of a head-on collision, a forward displacement of the body occurs as a result of inertia, causing tension on the safety belt and subsequent hyper-flexion of the neck followed by hyper-extension thereby producing neck injury.

This condition is also referred to as neck sprain, neck strain or traumatic cervical syndrome. It is an injury that damages the ligaments and muscles that support the neck and head. The most common causes are as a result of motor vehicle accidents, sporting activities, accidental falls and assault. Whiplash injury compensation claim settlements arising as a result of a road accident represent the majority of county court claims for personal injury. Speeds as low as 15 miles per hour can produce enough energy to cause physical damage to a passenger or driver, whether or not they are wearing a seat belt. This injury is therefore extemely common.

The symptoms of pain are caused by inflammation of the ligaments and muscles on the front of the vertebral column and neck being as a result of being stretched and torn (sprained). The most commonly injured muscles are the longus colli and the sternocledomastoids. These muscles in the front of the neck can become very sore for several weeks. Damage may also be caused to the invertebral joints, discs, cervical muscles and nerve roots. Nerve fibres may also be overstretched and damaged.

Although this condition usually only causes damage to the soft tissues of the neck, the doctor will take x-rays of the neck for reference in case of delayed symptoms and to rule out other spinal problems or injuries. Complications may include damage to the bony vertebrae in the neck or very rarely the spinal cord. If there is damage to the invertebral disc, surgical repair of the discs may become necessary. How this injury occurs is clearly understood, but the extent and type of injuries varies greatly. The diagnosis is often one of exclusion. Because most injuries are to soft tissues such as the discs, muscles and ligaments, they cannot be seen on standard X-rays. Your doctor may need to request specialised tests, such as computed tomography scans (CT Scans) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Here are 3 good reasons to choose our lawyers to act on your behalf in a whiplash injury compensation claim :-

1. Our lawyers will provide you with legal advice on your rights and entitlements to compensation with no further obligation.
2. Our solicitors are specialist accredited expert members of the Law Society personal injury panel with extensive experience in negotiating, settling and litigating accident compensation claims.
3. If you decide to instruct any of our specialists to obtain compensation for you, they will act on a “no win no fee” basis. Compensation is paid in full and win or lose there is no charge.¹