Whiplash: The Most Common Car Accident Injury

There is no denying that whiplash is one of the most common injuries sustained in road traffic accidents. That is why we have decided to put this blog post together, giving you as much information as possible about this common car accident injury.

Information on whiplash
What is whiplash? There is only one place to start, and this is by determining what whiplash is. This is an injury that occurs as the result of a sudden jolt to the head. It can result in damages to the tendons, ligaments, muscles or other soft tissues in the neck. Although we are dealing with sustaining whiplash from a car crash or other type of road traffic accident, you can suffer from whiplash as the result of many different accidents. Some people suffer whiplash due to slipping, for example.

When it comes to whiplash, symptoms can often take a while to develop. Most people will not notice any symptoms until a day or two after the crash. This highlights why it is vital to see a doctor immediately after a car crash, even if you are feeling fine.

Here are some of the most common symptoms of whiplash:

• Pain in the neck
• Restriction of movement
• Stiffness
• Back pain
• Pain in the arms / shoulders
• Muscle spasms
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Lethargy
• Dizziness
• Pins and needles
• Swelling

FAQ about making a claim for whiplash
If you have sustained whiplash in a car accident, you may want to make a claim. Here are some common questions asked about doing so…

Can I claim if I have not seen a doctor?Unfortunately, it is extremely unlikely. A lot of people that have suffered from whiplash do not get professional medical treatment. This is often because their injuries are minor, and so they would rather cope with them themselves. For example, many people turn to natural pain relievers, such as white willow bark and many more, to help with any pain they might be experiencing. However, if you want to have any chance of compensation, you need to see a doctor. Otherwise, you won’t be able to prove that you were injured in the first place. Plus, it is also vital to bear in mind the fact that injuries like whiplash can take a while to present themselves, and so it’s not worth risking anything getting worse.

Can I make a claim if I was only a passenger? Yes. If you were a passenger in a vehicle and the driver of your vehicle or the other car caused the crash, you can claim. The only reason you will not be able to claim is if for some reason you are responsible for the accident.

Will I have to go to court? We cannot give you a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer for this question, as there is always the possibility that your case will need to be settled in the courtroom. Nevertheless, it is extremely unlikely. In fact, most cases are resolved over the phone!

What should I do immediately after a car accident? Aside from ensuring you get the essential medical treatment for your injury from car accident, you should get contact information from the person that caused the incident, as well as anyone that witness it. Witness statements can help to improve your case exceptionally.

Advice on hiring a solicitor
The best way to ensure the solicitor you choose is the right person for you is to ask plenty of questions beforehand, so that you can get to know their service, experience and what they have to offer you. Take a look at some of the questions we recommend asking –

How can I get in touch with you? Unfortunately, a lot of personal injury victims end up frustrated, as they agree to use the services of a particular solicitor and then when they try to get in touch for an update they hear nothing back. This is why it is vital to discover how easy the solicitor is to get in touch with. Ideally, you will want someone that is going to provide you with both a telephone number and an email address.

How much experience do you have? The last thing you want is to use the services of someone that is effectively going to be learning on the job. Instead, you should make sure that they have handled many personal injury cases before, and that they have done so successfully. You will also want to be certain that they have relevant experience, i.e. they have worked on cases that are of a similar nature to yours.What are your payment terms? Not only is it imperative to be certain that you can afford the service that is being offered by the solicitor, but you will also want to find out how they determine their fees and what the payment structure is like.