The most common injury suffered in motor vehicle accidents is whiplash. It may result from a rear-end crash, side or frontal vehicle collision – the force of the impact causes a severe jerk of the head in a forward and backward movement like a whip. The result is painful, strained or damaged neck muscles causing symptoms like:

• Tenderness and stiffness of the neck, shoulder or arms
• Headaches or jaw pain
• Concussion, nausea or dizziness
• Pain radiating down the spine, back or legs.
• The feeling of numbness or pins and needles

What are the repercussions of whiplash?

While most whiplash injuries range from mild to moderate and get better on their own within a few days, they can also be severe and turn into a long-lasting chronic condition.

A whiplash injury symptoms can sometimes develop slowly or symptoms are delayed. Often in such cases, the driver and/or passengers who’ve been in a crash, don’t think too much of it and don’t get the right treatment at an early stage.

In some extreme cases, individuals may experience symptoms of vertigo (the sensation of the room spinning), tinnitus (ringing in the ears), anxiety and fatigue. A severe whiplash injury, if not diagnosed and treated properly can result in long term injuries. That could seriously affect the individual and his/her ability to get back to normal daily activities.

A long term whiplash injury lasting for more than six months may require pain medication, physiotherapy or even lead to more invasive forms of treatment being required.

Can I make a whiplash injury claim?

You may have been the driver or passenger involved in a road accident and suffered a whiplash injury. Despite having treatment, if it’s affecting your personal life, your ability to work, do domestic tasks, pursue your interests or sporting activities, you should contact our expert accident compensation lawyers for advice about making a claim.

What do I need to make a claim?

You may have a claim if you have suffered a whiplash injury in a road accident as a result of another driver’s negligent actions.

The laws surrounding whiplash injuries differ across Australia and depend on a number of circumstances. It’s important to seek expert legal help to ensure you get the right advice for your particular situation.

What could I claim?

You may be entitled to injury benefits or whiplash compensation. Usually, the insurance company of the driver who is responsible for the accident will have to pay the compensation. A whiplash recovery claim can seek compensation for physical and psychological injuries and losses, such as:

• Medical treatment and hospital expenses
• Loss of income if you had to take time off work
• Past and future care, for you and your family
• Compensation if you were forced to take a lesser paying job because of your condition.
• Pain and suffering
• Past and future costs or expenses related to your injury

If you are injured in a car accident, follow simple rules like noting the full details of the accident including time, date, location and details of the driver you consider at fault. Also report the motor accident to the Police and obtain an event number. Seek medical help from your doctor and make sure you disclose all injuries you have suffered even if they appear trivial. Sometimes the immediate effects of the accident are not known or felt. Sometimes you are in shock and this can mask the effect of the injuries that you have suffered. Keep records of all of your treatment. Keep copies of all of your accounts and receipts for treatment, chemist expenses, travelling expenses, physiotherapy and the like.

It is important that you obtain advice from an expert whiplash lawyer who can advise you on your rights and the legal options available to you following a motor vehicle accident.

If you or someone you know is injured in a motor vehicle accident, you may be able to claim monetary compensation for the injuries you have suffered. Let the motor vehicle accident compensation experts here at Taylor & Scott Lawyers assist you. We offer:

• A Free Case Assessment
• No-win/no-fee cost agreement
• An honest frank assessment of your claim
• We will do everything we can to assist you and your family to a better future.

Contact us on 1800 600 664 or complete the Contact Form on this page.

At Taylor & Scott “We Care For You”.