If you suffer from whiplash during or after a vehicle collision, then you could claim compensation for your injury – if you are eligible. Find out more about what a whiplash compensation claim could be worth in this article.
What is Whiplash?
Whiplash is an injury which commonly occurs during a car accident. A sudden stop such as that experienced in a rear end collision causes the neck to snap first forwards and then backwards. The speed of this motion strains the neck muscles and causes a bruise-like appearance.
Whiplash is typically rated as either mild, moderate or severe. Regardless of which type of whiplash injury you suffer from, visiting a personal injury solicitor for advice is your logical next step.
Mild Whiplash Symptoms
Mild symptoms of whiplash include a stiff neck and difficulty in moving freely. You may experience pain which could feel severe at first, but which will quickly ease off. If you have mild whiplash symptoms you should expect a full recovery within 2-3 months. There should be no lasting permanent damage.
Moderate Whiplash Symptoms
If you have moderate symptoms of whiplash that initial severe pain may last longer. You could experience limited movement, extensive neck pain and stiffness, and pain elsewhere in your back. You may have bruised or sprained your spinal cord. In the worst case, expect moderate whiplash to be fully healed within a year.
Severe Whiplash Symptoms
If you damage your spinal cord then your whiplash is classed as severe. Severe whiplash mixes all of the above symptoms and adds in the threat of paralysis or partial paralysis. You might suffer permanent limitations to your range of motion. You can expect two years to pass before, with therapy, you recover fully. You may not fully recover at all.
Is it Worth Claiming Compensation for a Whiplash Injury?
If you have suffered from any kind of injury during a car accident and if that accident was not your fault, then it is worth bringing a claim for compensation for whiplash in UK courts. You should not be left to pay for your medical bills or the costs associated with your recovery. Claiming compensation from the perpetrator ensures you are not out of pocket.
How Much Could You Get for Mild Whiplash?
Even the mildest forms of whiplash can pay out compensation of around five hundred pounds in the UK.
How Much Could You Get for Moderate Whiplash?
If you have moderate whiplash then you can expect to receive anything around the UK median rate. This sits at £1,850 per whiplash injury which lasts six months. Moderate whiplash injuries have been known to earn £2-3,000 in the UK.
How Much Could You Get for Severe Whiplash?
For severe whiplash which lasts up to 2 years, you may earn as much as £12,000. However, this is for the whiplash alone. If you have a spinal cord injury or permanent damage to the neck or spine, you could stand to get a much higher award for your UK whiplash claim.
Seek Legal Advice to Progress Your Claim
If you wish to pursue a whiplash claim in in the UK then your best course of action is to seek legal advice. Initial consultations are usually free and can be used to determine whether or not you have a claim.
