June 30th, 2010 | 
Author: One of the commonest personal injuries as a result of a road traffic accident is whiplash. This is a very painful soft issue injury of the neck that is caused by the head jolting forward and immediately back, when a vehicle impacts with another car or object. Depending on the force of an impact, whiplash can be slight or very severe. It can in more serious cases lead to disability – even paralysis, so it is something that should be taken very seriously. Medical advice should be sought straight away even if the injury appears to be slight. Long-term health problems and complications such as arthritis are possible.
The onset of whiplash symptoms may take a few hours or even a day or two. It doesn’t always become apparent immediately after an accident; it could take a while to fully manifest itself.
It is therefore important to obtain a medical opinion and treatment as soon after the accident as possible. Obviously if the accident is serious you will almost certainly end up in an A & E department where X-rays will be taken and treatment commenced. Full records will then exist that will greatly assist you in any personal injury claim that you may pursue. An insurance company will require a medical report about any injuries sustained when you are submitting a car or other vehicle accident claim.
Whiplash does not of course affect just car drivers. Passengers in a vehicle are equally at risk and are also able to pursue a personal injury claim even though they are not the insured person.
Depending on the severity of the accident, symptoms of whiplash can include headaches, a severe pain in the neck, shoulders and or arms, and dizziness. In more serious cases, memory loss, depression, concentration problems and a permanent ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus may occur.
A whiplash compensation claim can be pursued through the use of a no win no fee lawyer.
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