Whiplash Injury Claims & Compensation

Can I make a whiplash claim?

Any type of accident where the neck is jolted suddenly has the potential to cause whiplash. At National Accident Helpline, we might be able to help you claim for compensation if:

• You suffered a whiplash injury in an accident during the last three years
• It was the fault of somebody else - whether partially or fully

You can also claim for whiplash at any time on behalf of a child who was under the age of 18 at the time of the accident.

If they choose to make a whiplash claim for that accident after their 18th birthday, that three-year limit will then apply and they'll have until their 21st birthday to do so.

If the accident that caused your whiplash injury wasn't your fault, you shouldn't feel rushed into returning to work. But we also know that taking time off that you hadn't planned for can cause financial strain and worries about meeting your responsibilities. Your compensation settlement could help you cover the cost of that time off work, as well as the cost of medical treatment or any other impacts on you and your family's lives.

How much compensation do you get for whiplash?

We'll look at each case on an individual basis to make sure you get the help that's right for you and your situation. Every whiplash claim is different and can affect people in different ways. That's why we're not able to tell you exactly how much your compensation will be before you claim.

You can, however, try our free whiplash compensation calculator for a rough idea of the amount you might receive.

Your solicitor will take many things into consideration to build a case that's as accurate as possible. As well as looking at the pain and suffering caused by your whiplash injury, your solicitor will also factor in:

• Medical expenses - including any private treatment and prescription costs
• Lost earnings
• Travel and accommodation costs
• Care - even if given for free by a friend or family member
• Loss of (or limitation to) your hobbies, sports and social activities
• The future impact of your injuries

The Judicial College - part of the Ministry of Justice - publishes the compensation guidelines for all personal injury claims, including those for whiplash. 

There are additional compensation bands for more severe whiplash or neck injuries that involve serious soft tissue damage:

Until your solicitor has started negotiating on your behalf, they won't be able to give you an exact figure of the whiplash compensation you could be entitled to. With years_since years' of experience, our whiplash compensation calculator can give you an estimate of the amount you could receive.

We like to make the process as simple and straightforward as possible. If you're seeking to claim for injury compensation after a whiplash accident, you can see if you can start your claim online by using our claim online tool.

What are the symptoms of whiplash?

If you're in a car accident or experience a sudden jolt to the neck, you might be suffering from whiplash. It's a common injury from road traffic accidents - affecting the soft tissue around the neck, which can cause pain and stiffness.

Other symptoms of whiplash can include:

• Headaches - sometimes with blurred vision and fatigue
• Aching - difficulty moving or turning the neck
• Swelling and inflammation
• Pain in shoulders or arms - also sometimes in the upper and lower back, causing pain when walking
• Dizziness and possible nausea

If you think you're suffering from whiplash, we recommend you see your GP as soon as you can. They'll check the extent of your injury and may offer treatment to help relieve your pain.

Why should I choose National Accident Helpline for my whiplash claim?

We're the UK's biggest personal accident injury advice specialist - helping people just like you, who suffered whiplash in an accident that wasn't their fault, for over years_since years. With our comprehensive expertise and know-how, we can tell you if we think you have grounds for a whiplash injury claim quickly and easily.

Not ready to call us? Why not start your claim online with our claim online tool. Answer some simple questions to find out if you could make a whiplash claim, and whether you can continue your claim all online at your own convenience. 

Once you are ready, our friendly team of skilled personal injury advisors are here to help. We'll talk through the circumstances of your injury and assess your claim - but we'll never push you into anything you don't want to. It's always your decision.

If you go ahead with your claim for whiplash compensation, we'll introduce you to one of our specialist law firms - usually on the same call. We carefully monitor the service standards of all the law firms we work with. That way, we can make sure you have a smooth, hassle-free experience at what we know can be a stressful time for you and your family.

We've already helped more than 2 million people find out if they could claim for an injury that wasn't their fault - people like Amelia, who struggled with pain after being injured in a car accident and was left unable to do physical jobs or go to the gym. Hear Amelia's story below.

How do I start a whiplash injury claim?

To find out if you can make a whiplash claim, you can use our claim online tool, which will be able to tell you an estimated compensation amount for your whiplash injury, and whether you can start your claim online. We try to make the claiming process as easy and as stress-free as possible, we'll never rush or pressure you into starting a claim either and we take everything at your own pace.

How much does claiming for whiplash cost?

Our specialist whiplash solicitors handle your case on a no win no fee basis (unless in exceptional circumstances). This means that, if you should be unsuccessful with your whiplash claim, you'll pay nothing.

There are no up-front costs to pay when you make a claim. If you are successful in claiming for whiplash compensation, your solicitor will deduct a pre-agreed percentage from your damages award as payment for their services.

What happens if I suffer a whiplash accident abroad?

If you suffer a whiplash injury in an accident while abroad, the time limits for making a claim may be different to those here. You might still be able to claim under UK law - but it will depend on what happened and where. Your solicitor can give you all the advice you need.

What if the other driver wasn't insured or can't be traced?

This can make things a little more complex, but there's a special system to deal with these road traffic accident injuries (including whiplash). Your solicitor will take your claim to the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB), which assesses all injury claims on the road where the other driver was uninsured or couldn't be traced - for instance in a hit and run incident.

If you've been unlucky enough to be hurt in such circumstances, get in touch with our team. We'll be more than happy to talk you through what happens when a claim goes to the MIB.

What's the difference between ‘split liability' and ‘knock for knock'?

It's important that you don't confuse these claim terms.

A ‘split liability' agreement is where both sides accept 50% of the blame for the accident. It means the other side's insurers will pay you 50% of the overall value of your claim. So, if your claim is valued at £1,000, you'll receive £500, and your legal costs will be deducted from these damages.

In a ‘knock for knock' agreement, each party is compensated by their own respective insurance companies. This is regardless of who is actually at fault for an accident. It's usually used when neither side can agree liability in a claim.

How is whiplash normally treated?

Most types of whiplash injury normally heal on their own after a few weeks or months - or after treatment. But severe whiplash - like any serious neck injury - can take a long time to recover from, often with painful symptoms that can make everyday life difficult.

The most important thing to do if you think you have a whiplash injury is to see your GP as soon as you can. Your injury could be more serious than you think, and it may even take a couple of days for symptoms to show themselves.

Early medical diagnosis can help your solicitor build your whiplash claim - making it as accurate and strong as possible. The NHS website offers some helpful advice on treating whiplash injury.

If your whiplash symptoms are starting to make everyday tasks hard to do, go back to your GP and ask for their advice on further medication, treatment or psychological support if you need it.