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If you've suffered a whiplash injury as a result of an accident that was someone else's fault then you may be entitled to a whiplash compensation claim. Our legal experts can guide you through the claims process.
Whiplash is a neck injury which occurs when the head is jerked back and forward suddenly. Whiplash is so named as it is caused by rapid movement, much like the cracking of a whip. The most common cause of a whiplash injury is a car accident when two or more vehicles collide, or where a vehicle collides with a stationary object. The driver of a vehicle has been shown to have a higher risk of suffering whiplash associated disorders (WAD), with some studies showing that the driver faces up to twice the risk of a passenger of suffering whiplash.
A report by the Motor Accident Insurance Commission on Queensland road accidents and personal injury claims found that of the 51,659 accident claims from 2007 to 2016, 31,675 were claims for spinal injury - with spinal injury encompassing whiplash claims. This is an astonishing 61.3% of all claims for accident injury.
Whiplash injuries can cause neck pain and can result in medical expenses for treatment and recovery. If you have suffered a whiplash injury, or have been in a road accident and suspect that you have symptoms of whiplash, speak to our expert whiplash injury claim team about our no win no fee injury claims.
Whiplash is an injury to the neck and back which is commonly suffered after a road accident involving a collision. Whiplash is a descriptor for the rapid acceleration and deceleration which occurs in a head on, side on, or rear end motor vehicle accident. When people are wearing a seatbelt the head can rapidly jerk forward and back again which can result in damage to the soft tissue and muscles in the neck and spine.
While it is sometimes considered a minor injury, whiplash can impact quality of life and ability to work at full capacity with symptoms such as chronic neck pain, headaches and restricted range of movement.
Over time, most people with whiplash recover well, and with the right treatment and care you are likely to make a full recovery. It is important that you do seek medical treatment immediately - especially if you are considering making a claim for whiplash compensation. A full medical assessment is necessary when going through the process of claiming for your personal injuries.
Common whiplash symptoms are related to the neck, and include:
You may also feel unsettled or upset by the collision itself and you may feel uneasy about travelling in a car. Many people experience symptoms of whiplash straight away, while other people take some time to develop their symptoms.
If you think you may be suffering whiplash symptoms you should seek medical treatment as soon as possible followed by legal advice.
You should have a neck x-ray if you have been involved in a car accident and have neck pain, especially if you have soreness. Note though, that an x-ray is not going to reveal issues like soft tissue damage and you will need an assessment by a medical professional. Our compensation lawyers can help you with working out what assessments you need for your claim for accident compensation.
As we have noted, whiplash is a common injury from car and road accidents. However, it is possible that you may suffer a whiplash injury through something like riding on an amusement park ride, or playing spot. Slips and falls where your head hits a hard surface can also result in whiplash.
If you have suffered a whiplash injury in a car accident the first thing you need to do is to get a medical assessment. You will need to make sure that your injuries are not more severe than whiplash. An insurance company providing a claim for whiplash injury compensation is going to need to see medical evidence of your injury.
The steps you should follow when making a claim for whiplash injury compensation include:
It is important to note that there is a three year time limit in which you must commence your claim starting from the date of your accident. While this is true we do advise commencing your claim as soon as possible. With injuries like whiplash the symptoms can resolve relatively well in a short period of time, which means that if you do wish to claim it is in your best interests to do so while the impact can be assessed.
A claim for whiplash will include medical and healthcare expenses, loss of income (past and predicted future lost earnings potential) and compensation for pain and suffering. When assessing your case, any medical expenses and future care will be included, along with any related financial losses that you may have suffered.
A whiplash claim will provide sufficient compensation to place you in a position as if the injury had not occurred. Some whiplash claims have resulted in payments of seven figures where the impact to the injured party was such that it caused significant financial upset.
The best way of finding out what kind of payment you may receive for a whiplash injury is to come and see us for a free consultation. We can discuss your circumstances with you and let you know where you stand.
At times it may be possible to claim compensation for a whiplash injury even when there was no impact with another vehicle causing damage to the car.
This is most common among passengers in a vehicle when a vehicle has to brake suddenly and heavily to avoid an accident. In many of these cases, the driver will instinctively brace themselves but passengers who may be paying less active attention to the road may find the jolt causes whiplash. Claims for injured passengers can be made against the CTP insurance (which forms part of vehicle registration) of the driver who had to brake hard. This will often be a family member, partner or friend but the claim does not impact them in any way. Our lawyers can explain everything to you in more detail to allay any natural concerns about this.
This can also happen for bus passengers and could allow a bus injury compensation claim.
Absolutely - provided that the forward and backward movement of your head and neck is sufficient to cause soft tissue or spinal injury.
Yes, you can get whiplash from being reversed into. Of course, a soft and gentle bump to the rear or front of your car is not likely to cause significant damage - but everyone is different. If you have suffered neck pain or soreness due to being reversed into then you should seek medical attention and contact us for a free consultation.
Whiplash is a common precipitating factor in a sinus headache or sinus problems. The Brisbane Migraine Clinic has some information about trauma being related to sinus problems.
Whiplash can resolve relatively quickly with appropriate treatment and care, but it is important that you seek medical attention and engage in your rehabilitation to ensure the best possible outcome. Whiplash may heal within weeks or can take months to resolve; the most important part in your recovery is how committed you are to physiotherapy and treatment.
Whiplash can leave a sufferer with ongoing neck pain and soreness, headaches, spinal issues and chronic pain. If you have been injured and suffered a whiplash injury it is important that you seek medical attention promptly to mitigate the potential of developing a chronic issue.
Seek medical attention for a whiplash injury straight away and ensure that you get a treatment plan for managing your injury. If you are considering a claim for compensation call us for your free consultation and find out what your options are.
Our expert personal injury lawyers will talk you through the whiplash injury claim process. Have a free and no obligation chat to see if you may be eligible for a whiplash injury compensation claim after an accident in Queensland on a no win, no fee basis. Strict time limits apply, talk to our expert team now to check your rights.
