subject: 7 Steps To Making A Whiplash Claim [print this page] If you are thinking about making a whiplash claim, it is understandable that you will want to know what the process involves. In this article we explain the seven simple steps to claiming compensation for whiplash.
The Whiplash Claims Process
While every whiplash claim is different, the majority of whiplash claims will follow these seven steps:-
1. Notify the police and your insurance company
After the accident, you need to obtain as many details from the other driver as possible (or from whoever was responsible for the accident). This should include their name, contact details, registration number and insurance company. You must then report the accident to your own insurance company and, if you or your property has suffered damage, to the police.
2. Seek medical attention
As soon as you begin to experience the symptoms of whiplash, you need to seek medical attention. This will ensure you get the appropriate treatment for your injuries, and will also help to substantiate your whiplash claim.
3. Contact The Whiplash Experts
When you are feeling well enough, you should waste no time in contacting The Whiplash Experts. We specialise in whiplash claims, and will be able to advise you whether you are entitled to compensation. If so, we will appoint a legal expert to look after your claim from start to finish. At this stage your solicitor will explain the process to you in more detail, answering any questions you have.
4. Collecting Evidence
The next step is to prove firstly that the other party was to blame, and secondly that they caused you to suffer whiplash. It will therefore be necessary for your solicitor to evidence - for example, obtaining your medical records, getting a copy of the police report and taking statements from you and other witnesses. You do not need to worry about doing this yourself; your solicitor will do all the hard work for you.
5. Medical Report
As part of the process of collecting evidence, your solicitor will arrange a medical expert to assess your whiplash before writing a report regarding the extent of your injuries. This will help verify the physical (and psychological) damage you have been caused.
6. Negotiating compensation
Once the severity of your injury has been established, your solicitor will create a schedule of costs which will determine the financial loss you have suffered due to your injury. For example, a loss of earnings or the cost of medical treatment. These are known as damages, and will enable your solicitor to suggest a reasonable sum of compensation that will reflect the injury you have sustained. This figure will be proposed to the other side, who will either accept or enter into negotiations.
7. Settlement of your claim
When your solicitor has negotiated a fair sum of compensation, your claim can then be settled. You will receive a cheque in the post shortly afterwards. This will be 100% of the compensation settlement - there will not be any deductions.
