If you have suffered whiplash, then you may be eligible for compensation. If the accident which caused your injuries was the result of somebody else’s actions, and this can be proven, then you will have a strong claim.
To bring a claim forward for whiplash, you’re the accident which caused your injuries must have happened within the last three years. In the United Kingdom, personal claims become time-barred after three years. In addition to this, you must have diminished liability, so you yourself cannot be 100 per cent responsible for the accident in which you were injured.
Whiplash compensation amount
The amount of compensation you can claim for whiplash depends greatly on the extent of your whiplash and how your whiplash has and will affect your life. The answers to these questions will be determined through a medical examination, which you must attend as part of the claims process. The examination will last around 15 minutes and a report will be created on your behalf which your lawyer will use the form the basis of your claim.
Whiplash is graded on a scale of 1 to 4 and there are average pay-outs for each grade. To help you understand these, information about them can be found below:
- Grade 1 whiplash is minor whiplash with the only symptoms being pain and discomfort; the average pay-out for whiplash of this type if £1,500;
- Grade 2 whiplash is moderate whiplash with musculoskeletal signs of injury and pain and discomfort; the average pay-out for grade 2 whiplash is £4,000;
- Grade 3 whiplash is severe whiplash with neurological and musculoskeletal signs of injury; the average pay-out for grade 3 whiplash is £9,000.
- Grade 4 whiplash is extremely severe whiplash where there is also a fracture or dislocation; the average pay-out for grade 4 whiplash is over £15,000.
It’s important to note that the amount of compensation you could be owed for your injury may be more than the examples provided above. All injury claims are different and your circumstances will be unique. When determining a fair and proportionate settlement figure, your solicitor will ascertain how your injuries will affect your life and a settlement figure will be determined which will help you to recover from your injuries and move on from them.
Bringing your claim forward
You should specialist legal advice if you have been injured in an accident. You should make contact with a reputable law firm with experienced lawyers. A lawyer will be able to inform you of your legal rights and provide you with advice based on your circumstances. Only once you understand your rights fully should you proceed to making a whiplash claim.
