Do You Know What The Symptoms Of A Whiplash Injury Are?

Do not disregard a whiplash injury. Whiplash injuries may cause life-long pain and suffering for the patient. Sudden movement of the neck, which can be rapid or slow, can cause a whiplash injury. It may come about through a road traffic accident or through contact sports. Whatever the causes of the injury, whiplash should never be considered as something that can be ignored. In fact, if a third party is responsible for a whiplash injury, the victim can well claim whiplash injury compensation. See below for the symptoms of a whiplash injury:.

Common symptoms of whiplash injury

a) Neck stiffness and pain
b) Headache
c) The neck area may become enlarged
d) It may become impossible for you to move your neck properly
e) Tenderness in the back of the neck

Other more severe symptoms of whiplash injury

a) Pain in the lower back area
b) Spasms of the muscles
c) Drained
d) Blurred vision
e) Tinnitus
f) The hands and arms may suffer from pain, numbness or tingling sensations
g) Giddiness
h) The incapability of swallowing
i) Vertigo

After a whiplash injury, symptom such dizziness, blurred vision, headaches and problems in swallowing will only continue for a few days. The symptoms of this kind of injury can very often linger, and may not go away without proper treatment which has been prescribed by your doctor. Irritability, poor concentration and memory loss have also been reported to have been caused through a whiplash injury.

A whiplash injury is sufficient reason to claim for whiplash compensation in case a third party is responsible. How much can I expect in the way of compensation? A number of factors will decide the compensation awarded to you. In case you make a compensation claim against the insurance company covering you, you will be compensated according to the settlement agreement you have made with it. However, if you have decided that you are going to use the assistance of a solicitor to make your claim, you will be entitled to

i) General damages
ii) Special damages

General damages for a whiplash injury will cover compensation for the pain and suffering caused to you and people close to you because of the injury. You may also claim for loss of enjoyment in your life, emotional pain and psychological disorders such as depression. In order to make a claim, you will need all the medical reports relevant to the injury; this must explain what caused the injury and the effects it is likely to have on your life.

Special damage claim of a whiplash injury covers certain special losses you have had due to the injury. It includes all loss of earnings and wages you may have had during the period of treatment and also future loss of earnings you may have to endure due to the injury. Any expenses incurred due to the accident, eg. medical care, household and nursing will also be covered.

UK has strict laws regarding the stipulated time frame in which a claim can be made after the whiplash accident has taken place. A claim cannot be made after more than 3 years after the said injury has taken place.

Professional legal advice is necessary in making a successful attempt at whiplash compensation claims.