Guide To Whiplash Claims

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Whiplash is the term used to describe a soft tissue injury to the neck when you are involved in a car accident. The pain can last for a matter of days or in more severe cases a number of years. However, only a minor percentage of whiplash injuries result in long term injuries with most people making a full recovery. The important point is to make sure you are treated by professional medical staff as soon as possible.

What does "whiplash" mean?

The term "whiplash" is usually used to describe only rear end collisions, often where a car is stationery and another car drives into the rear of it.

How is the whiplash injury caused?

The first movement in a whiplash injury is your body being pushed forwards and upwards by the car seat. As your head is not normally connected to the seat (ie not touching) it remains in the same position while the rest of your body is moving forward with the seat. If the headrest is in the correct position, rather than the neck being thrown back over the top of the headrest, the headrest will finally move the neck forward with the seat as it comes into contact with it. (For the correct position of your headrest see our Headrest Position Guide)

The next movement as the car stops is the body being thrown forward. If restrained by a seatbelt the neck will then move forward over the rest of the body, flexing the neck now forwards. It is while the neck is over stretched (hyperextension and hyperflexion) that the whiplash injury is sustained.

Can a whiplash injury be sustained even in a low speed accident?

Yes. Quite frequently whiplash injuries are caused by low impact collisions with speeds of only a few miles per hour. Often some of the more serious injuries are sustained in this way. Remember if this has happened to you it is not your fault, and sustaining an injury in a low impact accident does not mean you have a weakness - it is a normal reaction. For more information see our article on
low speed whiplash injury accidents.

When is the whiplash neck pain likely to start?

This varies from person to person, but you can experience pain in your neck within minutes of the accident, or quite frequently a day or so later.

What should I do if I think I have suffered a whiplash injury?

Prompt action is required, both from a treatment point of view but also to investigate any potential claim. Claiming with 1stClaims is free and you will recover 100% of your compensation.

If you would like 1stClaims' expert Whiplash Solicitors on your side please call us free on 0800 2888 693 or complete our Free Claim Enquiry form now and we will be in touch with you very soon.

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