Injury law

Suspect You Have Whiplash? Here’s What You Could Be Entitled To

A motor accident, no matter how small, can be a real shock to the system. The moment it happens seems like it’s all a bad dream. You feel as though you’re traveling in slow motion just waiting to find out if you and your loved ones will make it out unscathed. If you manage to get out with a written-off car and a stiff neck then you can count yourself lucky, but that’s not to say it’s smooth sailing from here on in. Dealing with an insurance claim is the last thing you want to think about when you’ve just been hit by a careless driver, but it’s exactly what you must do. If you rely on your car for work or dropping the kids to school, you’re going to need to get back on the road as quickly as possible. Going through having a compensation car and either fixing or replacing your battered vehicle is never fun, especially when you’re not to blame for the accident. Then just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse, the pain sets in…

Whiplash

Often starting with a dull aching, which can turn into a stiffness across your entire neck, back and arms, whiplash is an uncomfortable and persistent condition. It is the most common injury reported in cases of a motor accident, and if you’ve been in a high impact crash there’s a good chance you’ll experience it for yourself. The shock of a crash often causes this condition as a result of your head being whipped forwards with the crash and then back again as your seatbelt does its work.

Do You Have Whiplash?

If you suspect you may have whiplash following a motor accident, you should visit your doctor immediately. They will be able to assess your symptoms and provide evidence of your condition which will be required in case of a personal injury claim. In more serious cases, you may be diagnosed with a whiplash associated disorder, or WAD. A WAD is considered to be present if you are experiencing severe pain or discomfort that is affecting your daily life and doesn’t appear to be improving over time. In more severe cases, you may experience pins and needles or numbness in your arms, along with drowsiness, nausea and confusion. In the worst of cases, you may even be stuck with persistent pain for life.

What Are You Entitled To?

If the accident was not your fault, or you were only partially to blame, then you are likely to be entitled to some sort of compensation. The motor accident compensation scheme seeks to cover your medical expenses, along with any loss of earnings and legal costs in case of an accident where you were not at fault. In more serious cases, such as diagnosis of a WAD, you may well be entitled to a lump sum payment to compensate for the pain and suffering you are going through.

If you have been in a car accident lately that wasn’t your fault, it is advisable that you seek immediate medical attention. In case of a whiplash diagnosis, compensation will not fix your ailments but it will at least go some way towards helping you with any expenses associated with the disorder.