Car Accident Whiplash Claims

Are whiplash claims as common as previously thought?

Every day, there is an average of 1,200 whiplash claims processed in the UK, many relating to road traffic accidents. It is estimated that these whiplash claims cost insurers approximately £2billion every year, and they have been widely blamed for the recent price hikes in insurance premiums. The UK has rates of whiplash far higher than elsewhere in Europe, and it is generally believed by insurers that many of these claims are false.

Now, claims management solutions firm Chameleon has unveiled a system for use by insurance companies and brokers that it says will stem the flow of whiplash cases by properly identifying symptoms from the outset.

Filtering road traffic accident claims

Using a computerised triage and Initial Medical Assessment system, Chameleon claim that in pilot schemes for major insurers that their system has prevented over 30% of cases from becoming legal claims. Furthermore, they estimate: “that of the 400,000 RTA (Road Traffic Accident) claims each year, if screened using our system, over 50% would not have whiplash symptoms.”

They say that the current high levels of whiplash claims in the UK are in a large part due to the high profile it has in public consciousness as an injury resulting from car accidents and because it is, “associated with making a personal injury claim.” They also point to self-reporting of symptoms, as well as poor diagnosis and assessment by medical staff, as being responsible for the large number of whiplash claims.

Why is whiplash so hard to prove?

Whiplash occurs when a person’s neck is suddenly jolted forwards and back, as is often the case in rear end vehicle collisions. Because the damage is done to soft tissues and muscles in the neck, it generally doesn’t show up on X-rays or other forms of medical analysis. Diagnosis is usually based on the patient self-reporting their symptoms.

Whiplash injuries can also take days or even weeks to manifest, and this delay in symptoms adds to the complication of diagnosis.

Because of the ambiguous and uncertain nature of the injury, it is a prime target for those attempting to make fraudulent personal injury claims. Sometimes those making a claim have suffered a genuine accident, but later exaggerate their injuries and symptoms in order to get compensation. Other times though, it is a deliberate and organised attempt to defraud insurance companies in so called ‘cash for crash’ scams.

In one high profile case of attempted whiplash fraud last year, 78 members of extremist group the English Defence League claimed for whiplash after a coach carrying them to a rally was involved in a minor collision. Records show that there were only 25 people on the coach at the time of the accident.

By using systems such as Chameleon’s to filter road traffic accidents before they reach a whiplash claim, insurers hope to be able to save money and time, while at the same time it may be hoped that anyone with a genuine whiplash claim will be compensated swiftly.

You Need To Know More Vital Information About Whiplash?

For more vital information that you really should know please download our free Essential Guide To Whiplash. It will tell you:

What "No Win No Fee" really means and how to ensure you do not get caught out
Whether a Claims Company or a Solicitor is the right choice for you
What does it mean if you have Legal Expense Insurance (and do you have to use the solicitor that they tell you too if you do not want to)?
How to obtain private treatment for your injuries at no cost to you
How to quickly obtain a replacement car or motorcycle if you need to
Why accepting an offer directly from the other driver's insurance company could cost you thousands of pounds and lead to longterm injury problems

There is no cost so please complete your details below now and we will immediately send you the guide.

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Guide To Choosing A Whiplash Solicitor

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