WHIPLASH COMPENSATION AMOUNT - HOW MUCH?
How much they ask! The amount of the payout in a whiplash injury compensation claim often astounds individuals who do not appreciate the degree of pain, suffering and disability that may accompany severe neck injury. The answer to the question is provided by simple physics - when a 3500 pound vehicle is travelling at a mere 10 mph, it has a total force of 25 tons if it collides with another moving vehicle. These forces are, of course, increased at higher speeds or with a heavier vehicle. A large part of the energy that results from the collision is transferred to the passengers of a vehicle despite modern passive safety features such as crumple zones and reinforced sidebars. The extent of the energy transfer determines the degree of injury, which dictates the amount of compensation, that starts at about £2,000 for minor injuries up to hundreds of thousands of pounds for more severe injury with a chronic element.
Whiplash is one of the most common injuries resulting from a rear end shunt in a traffic accident, as the impact of the collision jerks the head forward, followed by a reflex jerk in the opposite direction. The result is sprained muscles or tears in the soft tissues of the neck. Other types of accident including frontal and side collisions can result in whiplash, but rear end shunts are the most common cause.
Long Term Problems
Whiplash often seems like a minor injury and the symptoms are not always noted however, the condition can worsen if left untreated. Osteoarthritis develops in 40% of untreated serious whiplash cases within five years of the original accident. It is critical that you seek medical advice and have a medical examination as soon as possible after any traffic accident.
Whiplash Compensation Claims
To succeed in a whiplash compensation claim it is necessary to prove that the accident was fully or partially caused by another person’s negligence. Obtaining and preserving evidence is vital to success and you will need to collect all the data you can relating to the accident.
You need a medical examination from a medical specialist to determine the full extent of your injuries. This examination will also indicate the treatment that you need, which can involve physiotherapy, chiropractic therapy, osteopathy or several other treatments. The cost of private medical treatment, plus compensation for all losses, pain and suffering, will be awarded in a successful whiplash compensation claim.
Free Legal Advice
Contact us today for free legal advice on whiplash compensation claims. Just send the contact form or email our offices or use the helpline and a qualified solicitor will advise you how much your whiplash claim is worth and the amount of the likely payout. We work on a no win no fee basis so making use of our services will not cost you anything regardless of the final outcome. Win or lose no charge – compensation paid in full.