Are you experiencing pain or discomfort in the neck region following a recent car accident? It’s entirely possible that you have suffered impact-related whiplash, one of the most common injuries affecting drivers and passengers involved in road traffic accidents. But what is whiplash? Whiplash claims have come under considerable scrutiny in the last few years, primarily because the legal system was abused by fraudulent claimants and immoral companies were seemingly out to profit from the misfortune of others. As such, society has a skewed view of the general definition of whiplash, which medically, refers to a broad spectrum of conditions and injuries associated with the neck area.

Remember, if you have suffered a neck injury following an accident and it was caused by someone else, you have a civil right to take legal action against the person responsible in order to seek injury compensation.

Whiplash is a common injury associated with road traffic accidents. This type of injury occurs due to the relative lack of support for the neck provided by modern vehicles. Even if you position your headrest relatively high, this doesn’t rule out the possibility of you being thrown forward should your car be hit from behind. If you have suffered neck injury following a car accident, it is vital to make an appointment with your doctor, or be ‘checked over’ at your local Accident and Emergency department to rule out any serious spinal injury. Not only will this offer piece of mind personally as you overcome the initial shock of the accident, it could also provide the basis of a whiplash injury claim, should you decide to take action against the person responsible.

What is Whiplash?

If you were to pose the question “what is whiplash” to your GP, you are likely to be met with a broad medical explanation that encompasses many different types of injury. There are two main forms of whiplash: hyperextension and hyperflexion. Hyperextension refers to the movement of a muscle or ligament beyond its normal range, whereas hyperflexion refers to the over flexing of a muscle beyond that considered normal. Both essentially define the result of any forcible impact that causes the neck or spine to be jolted, then stretched beyond capacity. The symptoms of whiplash are variable and may not present themselves immediately after an accident.

Compensation For Whiplash Injuries

In order to qualify for free assistance for a whiplash injury claim, you must be able to prove your injuries to some degree. For the most part, confirmation of injuries and treatment can be sought from your GP with your consent, but it also helps to document your injuries, pain and treatment in order to help your injury solicitor reach a settlement figure commensurate with your suffering.

Common symptoms associated with whiplash injuries include:

•   Difficulty swallowing – also known as dysphagia.

•   Limited movement in the neck/ upper spinal region.

•   Sharp pain, or a sensation similar to pins and needles.

•   Muscle spasms.

•   Dizziness and fatigue.

•   Vertigo – the sensation that you are moving, even whilst still.

•   Swelling or bruising around the affected region.

If you have been diagnosed with whiplash following an accident that wasn’t your fault, contact our whiplash injury solicitors online today. Just fill out our secure online form, including brief details of your accident, injuries and a convenient time to call you back. Alternatively, contact us by phone using the free-phone number listed at the top of this page. Our advice is free and we could even offer you an initial claim assessment, at no cost.