Can I claim for whiplash through my insurance?

Asked by: Heidi O'Reilly  |  Last update: November 20, 2022
Score: 4.7/5 (43 votes)

When whiplash results from an accident caused by another driver's negligence, you may be able to recover compensation through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.

What is the average payout for whiplash in the UK?

The average whiplash payout in the UK is between £1,000 to £3,000 for milder injuries where there is some discomfort and headaches lasting from a few days to a few weeks. More severe whiplash injuries with longer-term symptoms can settle for up to almost £100,000 in the most serious cases.

Can whiplash be medically proven?

Whiplash can be difficult to prove for other reasons. As a soft tissue injury, it doesn't generally show up on an X-ray or MRI. This kind of imaging should be done to check for bone fractures, and the insurance company might latch on to the lack of visible injury. Further, a whiplash injury can worsen over time.

At what speed does whiplash occur?

In fact, many whiplash injuries from vehicle accidents occur at speeds as low as five to 10 mph. The severity of the injury often depends on whether you are properly restrained, which is why anyone riding in a vehicle should wear a seat belt or be secured in a size-appropriate child safety seat.

How do you test for whiplash?

Symptoms
  1. Neck pain and stiffness.
  2. Worsening of pain with neck movement.
  3. Loss of range of motion in the neck.
  4. Headaches, most often starting at the base of the skull.
  5. Tenderness or pain in the shoulder, upper back or arms.
  6. Tingling or numbness in the arms.
  7. Fatigue.
  8. Dizziness.

Clampdown on whiplash insurance claims

28 related questions found

Do you need to go to doctors to claim whiplash?

For your health and safety, you should go to your GP or closest A&E department if your symptoms cannot be managed by over the counter anti-inflammatory medicine or painkillers. Whiplash symptoms can appear immediately after an accident or be delayed by several days.

Should I accept First whiplash offer?

Once the offer is made, you have 21 days to decide whether or not to accept it. You should always take legal advice before accepting a Part 36 offer, especially if you have a conditional fee agreement or are using an insurance policy to cover your legal expenses, as you may find you invalidate your contract.

How long does minor whiplash last?

Minor Whiplash

If you have suffered whiplash due to a minor road accident, you may experience a couple of days of neck and upper back pain. This can usually be treated by taking painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Symptoms will typically ease off within 2-3 weeks.

Is it hard to prove neck pain?

Neck injuries are among the most common kinds of injuries that happen at work. Office workers who spend a lot of time leaning forward can develop a neck injury, as can a warehouse worker who frequently lifts heavy items or engages in repetitive tasks.

How do I prove whiplash UK?

In order to prove that you have suffered a whiplash injury, you will need to have a professional medical diagnosis made of the symptoms you are suffering with. This can be done by visiting an A&E department or by seeing your GP.

How much can I claim for anxiety after a car accident?

There is no set compensation payout that's awarded for a personal injury, including anxiety. Instead, compensation is calculated based on the type of injury and how severe it is, and the impact on the claimant's life. Also taken into account is if the injury has cost you financially.

What do you say to claim for whiplash?

The following steps outline what you need to do when making a whiplash claim:
  • Exchange personal and insurance details with any other drivers after an accident.
  • Contact your insurer and tell it about the accident.
  • Take photographs and take down names of witnesses.
  • Visit a doctor if you have symptoms of whiplash.

What should I do if I get whiplash from a car accident?

What should I do if I sustained whiplash in an accident?
  1. Call 911 or ask someone to call for you to request an ambulance.
  2. If possible, stay still and do not move until the ambulance arrives.
  3. Other than the police, do not discuss your accident with other people at the scene of the accident.

Can whiplash be delayed?

Symptoms of whiplash may be delayed for 24 hours or more after the initial trauma. However, people who experience whiplash may develop one or more of the following symptoms, usually within the first few days after the injury: Neck pain and stiffness. Headaches.

What will neck xray show?

A neck x-ray is an imaging test to look at cervical vertebrae. These are the 7 bones of the spine in the neck. These are the seven bones of the neck, called the cervical vertebra. The top bone, seen on the right of this picture, is called the atlas, and is where the head attaches to the neck.

What does a whiplash headache feel like?

What are the symptoms of whiplash headache? Patients with headache after a whiplash injury will typically experience pain in the back of the head where the head meets the neck. This pain may radiate to the temples, the top of the head, the front of the head or down the neck. The pain may be intermittent or constant.

What happens if whiplash goes untreated?

Whiplash is no different. Like most other injuries, serious side effects can occur when left untreated: Stiffness and loss of motion. As well as the chronic neck pain and stiffness, untreated whiplash can even lead to degenerative disc disease and vertebrae misalignment.

How do I claim compensation for whiplash?

To make a whiplash claim, you'll need to provide the insurance company with evidence of both the accident and the injuries you sustained. You can do this by: Exchanging insurance details with the other driver. Taking photographs at the scene of the accident where possible.

How much will I get if my car is written off?

How much will I get for my written-off car? Unless you have new for old car insurance, you'll get the current market value of your car, not what you paid for it. You can dispute the value with your insurance provider if you're not happy with what they offer.

Should I claim on car insurance or not?

If you have an accident and the cost of repairing your car or another person's vehicle is cheaper if you claim on your insurance, it's probably the best idea. Insurance is there for these circumstances after all, so you shouldn't avoid using it if you have to.

Will xray show whiplash?

A whiplash injury isn't apparent on imaging tests. But your doctor will likely order one or more imaging tests to rule out other conditions that could be making your neck pain worse. Imaging tests include: X-rays.

Can you claim for whiplash 2021?

The 2021 whiplash reforms only apply to road traffic accidents. This means that whiplash injuries suffered through a slip, trip, or fall, or through an accident at work, for example, will not be affected by these changes.

What is whiplash worth?

That said, most whiplash settlements in the United States range between $10,000 to $100,000 for minor neck and back injuries. However, the average whiplash settlement amount is $1 million to $5 million for significant, life-changing injuries.

How long is whiplash recovery?

Whiplash symptoms such as neck pain and stiffness usually start improving a few days to one week after you get hurt. Most people fully recover within a month. Check in with your doctor if pain or other symptoms that are long-lasting after an injury or causing you any concern.

How much compensation will I get for neck and back whiplash?

How Much Can You Expect to Receive? Settlement values or trial verdicts for whiplash vary greatly, but most cases or mild to moderate whiplash will be valued between $2,500 and $10,000. More serious cases involving treatment (typically physical therapy) over several months may cost the defendant upwards of $30,000.