WHIPLASH INFORMATION - COMPENSATION CLAIMS
Our specialist personal injury solicitors can provide you with detailed whiplash information and can help you to claim compensation. We operate the no win no fee scheme, compensation is paid in full and you do not have to fund or finance your claim in any respect. If you would like advice on risk free compensation claims just use the helpline or complete the contact form and a solicitor who is a member of both the Law Society panel of personal injury experts and of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers will speak to you on the telephone with no further obligation.
HELPLINE 0844 332 0553
Personal Injury
If you have suffered personal injury in an accident it is important that you seek medical advice as soon as possible from either your own doctor or from your local Hospital. The medical record will used for the assessment of the value of your claim and it is therefore important that the injury is documented as soon as possible after the onset of symptoms. The following whiplash information is as general basic guide to this condition :-
- The long term out look following this injury is good and permanent damage is rare.
- Whiplash injuries are not usually serious and damage to bones, discs or nerves in the spine is rare. Serious injury is usually detected early following medical examination.
- Pain which develops a few hours after the accident or even later usually means that the damage to the neck is not serious
- Injury to the lower back often accompanies injury to the neck and again this is rarely serious
- Other symptoms can often result from whiplash injury including headaches, arm or jaw pain or dizziness. These symptoms usually resolve when the neck pain decreases.
- Serious pain usually improves within a few weeks and often in days.
- Aches and pains can often linger for a considerable period of time however this does not mean that the injury is serious. The discomfort does usually get better over time however a small percentage of people will suffer long term residual symptoms which are usually minor and do not interfere with normal life.
- More serious injury can occur as a result of a road traffic accident and a visit to the Accident and Emergency department of a local Hospital is necessary if any of the following symptoms are present;
- been unconscious
- disturbed vision
- severe muscle spasm
- neck in an unusual position
- pins and needles, numbness or weakness in the arms or legs
- difficulty with balancing or walking
- Control of pain is usually achieved by one or more of a number of methods including
- pain killers or anti-inflammatory medication
- a neck collar is sometimes used for support in the early stages of the injury
- the application of heat and cold may be used for short term relief to relax muscle spasms
- other treatments may be effective including massage, electrotherapy, acupuncture or alternative medicine
- traction is used occasionally for short term pain relief
- further whiplash information may be obtained from a professional osteopath, chiropractor or physiotherapist who may advise that manipulation may be effective especially in the early stages
- current medical opinion recommends early exercise of the neck to help in mobilisation which reduces the pain.
HELPLINE 0844 332 0553
Symptoms
Whiplash symptoms result from injury caused by hyperextension to the neck. This injury occurs when the head is suddenly jerked back and forth beyond its normal limits usually during a car accident, which causes over-stretching and tearing of the neck muscles and ligaments and can cause the discs between the neck vertebrae to bulge, tear or rupture. The injury can also occur as a result of playing contact sports or a fall. There are numerous whiplash symptoms that can include :-
- anxiety
- balance problems
- blurred vision
- burning in the arm, hand or leg
- carpal tunnel syndrome
- concentration difficulties
- difficulty swallowing
- dizziness
- facial pain
- fatigue and depression
- fibromyalgia
- forgetfulness
- headache and dizziness
- impaired concentration
- irritability
- jaw clicking or pain
- loss of feeling and numbness
- low back pain and or stiffness
- memory loss
- nausea or vomiting
- nervousness
- pain between shoulders
- pain or stiffness of the neck, back, jaw, shoulders, or arms
- psychological problems
- ringing in ears
- sensitivity to noise
- shoulder, arm or hand numbness, burning or tingling
- shoulder pain
- sleep disturbances
- tremors
- vertigo
In the case of CICA claims terms will vary and in the case of MIB claims terms may vary.