Whiplash

What is Whiplash? Whiplash is the term used to describe the injury that occurrs to your neck, usually following a car accident. It is commonly mispelt as whip lash. It is a soft tissue injury to the muscles in your neck and results

in neck ache, headaches and often dizziness.

How Does The Whiplash Injury Happen? A whiplash injury usually occurs when someone is stationary in their car and another car drives into the rear of it. As the body of the person is connected to the seat it immediately

starts to move forward from the force of the impact. However, because the head is usually free from the seat it stays in the same position until the head rest connects with it. It then moves forward later than the rest of the

body. The body is then restrained by the seatbelt but the head, not connected to the seatbelt, continues to move forward and only starts to come back when the body is being pulled back by the seatbelt. The neck muscles

are overstretched and it is this stretching that causes whiplash.

What Should You Do If You Have Suffered Whiplash? If you are in pain from whiplash you should visit your doctor or local casualty department. They will assess the severity of the injury and decide whether to provide you with

a neck brace. Frequently these days it is decided that light exercise is better than complete rest (as with most soft tissue injuries) so it is rare that a neck brace is provided. You can self treat whiplash by applying an ice pack

to the injured area. Painkillers are often used to alleviate the pain.

Long Term Whiplash Injury? Frequently whiplash pain is short lived. Most victims will make a full recovery within a few months. It is rare but some people will suffer longterm whiplash pain due to sever extension of the neck

muscles during the impact.

What Action Can Be Taken? If another driver has caused the injury a claim can be made for compensation for the pain and suffering experienced. In almost all cases the claim will be free to make and the person claiming

should receive all of their compensation. In addition to the compensation for the whiplash injury, the claimant will also be able to claim for the damage to their vehicle and any other expenses (including any lost earnings). Their

no claims bonus should not be effected.