Making a whiplash claim

Whiplash can be a hugely disruptive and painful injury. If you’ve suffered from whiplash after an accident that was caused by someone else, you could be able to make a claim for compensation.

First4InjuryClaims could help provide you with the legal guidance to put forward the strongest case possible.

Our team of experts will work hard to make the claim process as straightforward and stress-free as possible so you can focus on your recovery.

What is whiplash?

Whiplash is an injury to the soft tissues – like the muscles, ligaments and tendons – in your neck. It’s a form of sprain or strain. It is commonly caused by car accidents, but can also happen during sports, trips or falls or a blow to the head.

It happens when the neck is suddenly and forcefully jerked backwards and forwards. It typically lasts a few weeks, but some people suffer long-lasting symptoms.

You may find that you don’t feel the effects of whiplash immediately after your accident – symptoms can appear up to a few days after it. Symptoms include:

• Difficulty moving your head
• Headaches
• Neck pain and stiffness
• Shoulder and upper back stiffness and pain

How much compensation can I claim for whiplash?

After the government changed the law around whiplash injury compensation, you will no longer be entitled to the same amounts you previously would have been.

You will now receive a set amount for a whiplash injury, which increases with the length of time your injury lasts.

Whiplash lasting up to three months will see compensation of £240 awarded, while the same injury lasting between 18 and 24 months will be awarded £4,215 in compensation.

How long do I have to make a whiplash claim?

In most cases, you will be able to make a claim up to three years after your accident. But there are some exceptions to the rule.

For example, if you’re claiming on behalf of a child who has suffered a whiplash injury, you can make a claim at any point up to their 18th birthday. From that date, they’ll then have three years to make a claim themselves.

And if you are claiming on behalf of a loved one who lacks the capacity to claim for themselves, there is no deadline. You can claim at any point.

How can I pay for my claim?

First4InjuryClaims wants to make sure everyone can access the justice they are entitled to. That’s why we’ll enter into a No Win No Fee agreement with you.

This means you won’t have to pay anything upfront to begin your whiplash claim and you won’t have to pay anything if your claim is unsuccessful.

If your claim is successful, we will receive payment of our fees. This will be up to a maximum of 35% of your compensation plus VAT, but the exact figure will depend on the type of accident you were in.

What do I need to make a claim?

For whiplash claims, you’ll need to have a medical assessment. This will look at how long you’ve suffered with symptoms or how long your recovery is expected to take.

You can also make a claim for any financial losses you’ve suffered as a result of your accident. This could include:

• Car hire
• Damaged personal items, including your phone, watch or anything else in your car at the time of the accident
• Loss of earnings if you’ve had to take time off work and not been paid – this includes any overtime, commission or bonus you may have missed out on
• Medical care, including any medication you need to purchase or treatment like physiotherapy

You’ll need your receipts or invoices to be able to claim back the money you’ve spent on making things right after your accident.

If you have any questions about your injury claim or what you might be entitled to, just ask. We’re here to make sure you feel confident and informed when making your claim.