NATIONWIDE WHIPLASH CLAIM UK

A whiplash claim is one of the most common legal actions resulting from traffic accidents. The injury accounts for thousands of compensation claims made every year throughout the UK. There are numerous injuries caused by car accidents but this is the most common.

This injury can be sustained by drivers and passengers of most types of vehicle and is usually caused by a rear-end collision, but sudden braking can also put strain on the neck. Sometimes only minor injuries result when the soft tissue of the neck is strained or torn. It is characterised as a collection of injuries caused by damage to the neck, back and spinal cord. These injuries affect muscles, tissue, discs, nerves and tendons. Normally whiplash occurs when the head is thrown violently in any direction, and then the head snaps back immediately in the opposite direction. These rapid neck movements result in swelling and inflammation that places pressure on the nerves causing pain and discomfort.

Whiplash can cause such trauma to the spine that it takes a long time to fully recover. In rare cases this injury can lead to more severe conditions that result in constant chronic pain. Occasionally damage is done to the actual vertebrae in the spinal cord. Other symptoms include dizziness, blurred vision, headaches, nausea, vomiting, pins and needles and poor balance. The pain can also cause loss of concentration and memory, irritability, nervousness, insomnia, fatigue and depression. A whiplash claim can result in substantial compensation in cases where there is long term damage.

If you have been involved in a motor accident that was not your fault then you might be entitled to claim compensation. Mild cases can be awarded up to £2000 and severe cases can attract awards of up to £250,000! The compensation awarded will depend on factors such as the severity of the injuries, the recovery period and any long term symptoms or disability resulting from the accident. Financial losses resulting from the accident may also be awarded in a whiplash claim.

If you are suffering pain as a result of a motor accident, see a doctor as soon as you can. Diagnosis is usually fast as it is a very common injury sustained in road accidents. Your diagnosis will depend on the symptoms you show, and any past medical history of neck or spinal injuries. In more severe cases you may need a full physical and neurological examination, involving tests such as CAT scans or MRI scans. X-rays are needed in some cases to check for any fractures in the vertebrae.

Treatment normally involves medication for the pain and anti-inflammatory drugs. Physiotherapy and heat therapy are also sometimes used. More severe injuries may require the sufferer to wear a surgical collar, or be placed in cervical traction. The need for surgery is rare but it is needed when there are tears in the inter-vertebral discs of the spine, which have to be removed and possibly followed by fusing the neck vertebrae.