| Whiplash as a concept was introduced just 80 years | | | | Many whiplash sufferers benefit from complementary |
| ago (by Harold Crowe in a 1928 paper). It has since | | | | therapies such as physiotherapy and osteopathy. If |
| become recognised scientifically, and today accounts | | | | you live in the UK, your doctor can advise whether or |
| for around 70% of all road accident compensation | | | | not a complementary therapy is appropriate and |
| claims in the UK. | | | | whether it is available on the NHS. |
| Whiplash is a medical condition described as damage | | | | In the majority of cases whiplash passes after a few |
| to the soft tissue of the neck. It occurs under | | | | days, or at most within a few weeks. However, in |
| conditions of rapid extension and flexion (bending), | | | | some cases it may last a few months, and has been |
| perhaps after a sudden movement or a forceful jolt to | | | | known (in around 5 - 10% of cases in the UK) to |
| the head or body. Often, such movement causes | | | | continue for a year or more, preventing sufferers from |
| stretches and tears of muscles, tendons and ligaments | | | | returning to work during this time. |
| - this is whiplash. | | | | If you have been in a vehicle collision and suspect you |
| Anyone involved in a vehicle collision - even at low | | | | may have suffered an injury, it is important to notify |
| speeds - runs the risk of a whiplash injury. The risk is | | | | the police immediately. This is, in fact, a legal obligation, |
| present regardless of the angle at which the vehicle | | | | regardless of whether the car is blocking traffic |
| was struck. | | | | (although the police may not attend the scene if traffic |
| Victims should watch out for symptoms. They are: | | | | is not adversely affected). |
| neck or shoulder pain; neck or shoulder stiffness; | | | | Once the police have been notified, it is vital to obtain |
| headache; dizziness; prickling or burning feelings; and | | | | the following details from the other driver or drivers |
| perhaps less common signs including memory loss, | | | | involved: name; address; vehicle registration and |
| difficulty concentrating, irritability, nervousness, difficulty | | | | insurance details. You may also want to ask |
| sleeping, fatigue and even depression. | | | | witnesses for their details in case the other driver(s) |
| Often, whiplash manifests itself soon after a crash, | | | | fail to admit liability. |
| typically in the form of neck pain. However, it may | | | | A whiplash claim with the aid of a solicitor is a typical |
| come to light only after a few days. | | | | next step. Compensation of £1,500 to |
| If whiplash is suspected, the first step is to apply an ice | | | | £2,500 is quite common, but higher figures may |
| pack. A victim should visit Accident and Emergency (if | | | | be possible if, for example, you have suffered a |
| the injury is serious enough) or make an appointment | | | | serious whiplash injury which has prevented you from |
| with his or her doctor. You may find the advice is to | | | | returning to work. |
| take painkillers and to rest the neck for the first day or | | | | If you have suffered whiplash, it is prudent to contact a |
| so. Thereafter, it is important to keep the neck moving | | | | specialist solicitor quickly to find out whether you might |
| as normal and to return to a typical routine. However, | | | | have a claim. The most usual and advisable option is to |
| there are a number of treatments, ranging from | | | | proceed on a "no win, no fee" basis. Check with the |
| anti-inflammatory drugs to neck braces, which may be | | | | solicitor that you will receive 100% of any |
| appropriate, and medical advice should be sought. | | | | compensation. |