subject: Steps To Take When Making A Whiplash Claim [print this page] Whiplash normally occurs when you are in a stationary vehicle, perhaps at a roundabout or junction, when another driver drives into the rear of your vehicle. As your body is connected to the car seat by the seat belt, it feels the impact first. While this pushes your body forward, your head does not move at the same time as it is not attached to the seat. This results in your neck being twisted as your body is pushed forward, which takes your head with it. At this point, the seat belt is doing its job to hold your body back against the seat. When your head leans forward and reaches its most extreme range of movement, it therefore lurches forward and then whips right back, causing an injury that can be incredibly painful.
The first thing that you should do in this situation is swap details, ensuring that you have the other driver's insurance company details and their car registration number, in short, everything that you require so that the matter can be pursued if you decide to do so. You will obviously then need to get yourself some treatment, firstly at your local hospital's Accident & Emergency, where you'll be able to be examined so that you can be sure that no serious damage has been done. You will normally only suffer a neck strain, albeit one that can often be very painful, rather than the fracture that is much more rarely experienced.
After you have attended A&E, you'll obviously want to rest and to follow the advice that has been given to you. This may involve physiotherapy, and if necessary, neck collars, although the latter is much less common than it used to be as people are generally advised by medics to keep moving and to stay active when possible, as long as they are careful in the activities they undertake.
The next step will be to find somewhere from which you can get advice about making a whiplash claim. Advice can often be sought completely free of charge these days from one of the many companies that provide whiplash claim solicitors, although it is still worth checking to make sure, as administration costs may still be charged to some companies for giving you advice. Today, there is no reason why you should not be able to seek advice free of charge.
The right company, in dealing with your whiplash claim, should investigate your injury, obtaining a medical report that confirms the extent of your injury. They should also arrange treatment for you if you have been badly injured. They should then look to obtain the right amount of compensation from you by putting forward the claim to the other side. You should be able to undergo the whole process without paying a penny, in the process receiving 100% of your compensation. You can then concentrate fully on your recovery. In most cases, you should make a full recovery. However, the right whiplash claim solicitor will also make sure that you get as much treatment as possible if you continue to feel pain.
