Whiplash Injury Compensation Claim Lawyers

Whiplash Claims are very common, and the rules around them have recently changed. If you've suffered from whiplash after a road accident, you may be wondering about your options to claim compensation.

These types of injuries can often cause severe pain and suffering, necessitating medical treatment and time away from work.

Sheldon Davidson Solicitors are very experienced in successfully helping both drivers and passengers who have suffered a whiplash injury through no fault of their own secure the compensation and care they need.

The first step is to speak with one of our expert road traffic accident solicitors today. We have extensive knowledge and experience of whiplash claims and have an excellent track record of success. One of our experts will be able to tell you with some degree of certainty, after a free initial consultation, whether there is a case to be answered and the likelihood of success. If so, we will be happy to represent you on a no win no fee basis.

 

What is Whiplash?

Whiplash is one of the most common road traffic accident injuries. It occurs because of a rapid movement of the head, causing strain to the neck’s muscles and tendons. Because of the reactive tendency of the neck muscles to contract following a rapid acceleration or stop, most road accident injuries will include some level of whiplash injury - often, unfortunately, accompanied by other injuries.

Symptoms of whiplash can include:

• Neck pain
• Stiff neck, back and shoulders
• Headaches
• Dizziness or fatigue
• Painful head movement
• Limb numbness and tingling

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms following a road accident, it is vital you seek medical assistance and produce a medical report. Any piece of evidence regarding your injury will direct our legal advice, and bring you closer towards claiming the compensation award you deserve.

 

How do I start a whiplash claim?

Our team is committed to ensuring that not only do you receive the whiplash compensation you are due, but also the medical treatment required to try and get your life back to normal as quickly as possible. This will not need to wait until after your case is successful, we make certain that you are looked after from the moment you begin your claim with us.

We will work hard on your behalf to recover compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company and will take account of any lost earnings you have incurred through work absence when calculating the amount you should receive.

You may have noticed that whiplash claims had increasingly come under scrutiny in Parliament and the media in the past year, due to allegations that some perceived victims are not legitimately injured. This has resulted in a change to the law regarding the claims process on the 31st of May 2021.

Whiplash and soft tissue injury claims following a road traffic accident are now handled online through the Official Injury Claims Portal. Designed with the aim of supporting independent claimants, the Portal still presents some challenges that may require you to seek the support of an expert solicitor. Contact Sheldon Davidson Solicitors to assess your case, and decide which option is best for your whiplash injury claim.

 

What compensation can I expect for whiplash?

With the legislation change in May 2021, the government has enforced a fixed tariff for whiplash injury compensation claims based on the duration of the injury’s repercussions. The aim of the change is to contain the amount of fraudulent or exaggerated whiplash and soft tissue injury claims, effectively reducing the average motorist’s insurance premium.

The table below includes the amounts of compensation for whiplash claims under the new rules.

 

Duration of injury	Damages for physical injury	Damages including psychological
Less than 3 months	£240	£260
Between 3 and 6 months	£495	£520
Between 6 and 9 months	£840	£895
Between 9 and 12 months	£1320	£1390
Between 12 and 15 months	£2040	£2125
Between 15 and 18 months	£3005	£3100
Between 18 and 24 months	£4215	£4345

 

These amounts only account for a prognosis lasting a maximum of 2 years, and other factors may affect your whiplash compensation claim amount. These may include compensation for loss of earnings and other damages, or legal costs when applicable. Get in touch with our specialists today for an assessment.

 

When should I make a whiplash claim?

As with most personal injury claims, if you have whiplash you are advised to speak to an expert whiplash injury solicitor as soon as possible. You have up to three years to register your claim, but it will greatly benefit your case to provide medical evidence of your condition as soon as possible after the accident.

If a person under the age of 18 is affected, they can make a claim for up to three years after their 18th birthday.

In some cases, the symptoms of whiplash may not become apparent until later. If this happens, you have three years from the date of your diagnosis in which to claim.

 

Contact Us

Our experienced RTA Injury Claim Solicitors act regularly for clients across Greater Manchester including Ashton, Bury, Bolton, Radcliffe, Prestwich, Middleton, Failsworth, Rochdale, Oldham, and Whitefield.

Sheldon Davidson Solicitors are a Lexcel accredited law firm. The Lexcel standard is only awarded by the Law Society to firms who meet the highest standards of practice management and customer service.

With Sheldon Davidson's Personal Injury Solicitors in Manchester, you can be confident that your whiplash claim is in safe hands.

Call us for free now using the number at the top of the page or complete the online contact form and a member of our team will get back to you.