Claiming Compensations For Whiplash Injury

By Joyce Loto


When you are involved in an accident resulting in a whiplash injury to yourself or a loved one, try to preserve all possible evidence in the immediate aftermath of the event. By taking photos and notes of damage to the vehicle, yourself and surrounding structures, you will have a leg up in terms of building a winning claim.

Whiplash injury usually occurs when an accident causes dislocation or injury to the spinal cord. Most of the whiplash claims are caused by road traffic accidents. About 20% of all road accidents that involve collisions to the back of the vehicle result in whiplash injuries. There are many other complications that can also result from this.

People often think that whiplash is caused mainly by accidents, but the truth is that whiplash claims can happen whenever your head and neck are jerked suddenly. This means that instead of car accident claims, whiplash can be caused by boxing, violent physical contact, fairground rides, or even falling down wrong. However, the most commonly seen incidents of whiplash happen when a person is in a vehicle.

There are two types of whiplash, namely acute whiplash and chronic whiplash. Acute whiplash occurs when the neck ligament and tendons suffer marginal damage, resulting in a relatively rapid recovery. Chronic whiplash can last from several months to several years, sometimes making whiplash claims harder to define. This is why you should see a doctor whenever you suspect an injury.

According to the NHS, Acute Whiplash injuries can be treated within 32 days. However, there are still some cases where treatments can last over five months. Some of the signs associated with acute whiplash include neck stiffness or swelling and overall body weakness. When the injury is more severe, patients may experience dizziness, depression, loss of memory and tinnitus. These result in higher compensation for whiplash claims.

The extent of the injury is the biggest factor in determining the amount of compensation for whiplash injury claims, but it is not the only factor. This is why it is rare to have two cases with the same turnout. If two people suffer the same injury and one's salary represents a greater percentage of their household income, that person's household will suffer a greater loss due to the accident. The other person will not be as large of a contributor to their household income, and therefore will not need so much financial help.

For those experiencing whiplash symptoms after an accident, whiplash claims must ideally be made within three years of the injury occurring. As with all claims where compensation is sought the earlier the claim is made, the easier it is to prove, thus resulting in successful whiplash claims.




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