Whiplash Claims In Edinburgh

Around 300,000 road traffic accidents happen every year in the UK, with three quarters of these involving a whiplash injury. With such a high frequency rate, it is likely that if you have been in a road traffic accident, you have suffered from the effects of whiplash. If this has happened to you, contact McKay Norwell to discuss what action you can take next.

What Is Whiplash?

Whiplash is an injury sustained to the soft tissue of the neck and shoulders, which is caused by the neck hyperextending. While it can occasionally be the result of contact sports such as rugby, whiplash is more commonly associated with low speed traffic accidents.

More often than not, whiplash caused by a road traffic accident occurs when another vehicle hits yours from behind. Whether you are stationary (for example, because you are waiting at a junction) or travelling, the force of a vehicle driving into the back of you will cause your head to be thrown away from your body. As your head moves violently forwards and then backwards, the tendons and ligaments will become damaged, leaving you to suffer whiplash.

Symptoms and Treatment of Whiplash.

The symptoms of whiplash often do not become apparent until 6-12 hours after the accident. When they do start to become obvious, symptoms of acute whiplash normally include:-

* Neck pain;

* Stiffness in the neck;

* Swelling and tenderness around the neck and shoulders;

* Reduced mobility of the neck;

* Muscle spasms;

* Tiredness;

* Headaches.

Until a few days after the accident, these symptoms will often feel as though they are gradually getting worse. But by keeping your neck mobile with gentle exercises, and with the help of anti-inflammatory medication, the discomfort will soon begin to improve. Some people will need physiotherapy treatment to restore the range of movement in the neck, but whiplash is usually successfully treated within six months.

Should a whiplash victim continue to experience symptoms such as neck pain, persistent headaches, dizziness, or emotional disorders for more than six months after the accident, then they are said to have chronic whiplash. This will require further treatment, as there is the possibility that long-term neurological, muscular or psychological damage has been done.

Thinking Of Making A Claim?

If you have been involved in a road traffic accident, you need to seek medical assistance without delay. Should you be diagnosed with whiplash, you may want to consider making a personal injury claim. This will help to recompense for the pain and suffering caused, as well as any loss of expenses - for example, for your loss of earnings if you had to take time off work. The first step is to speak to a legal expert to discuss your options. You can either use a lawyer recommended by your insurance company, or you may wish to find a solicitor for yourself.

If you have been the victim of a road traffic accident and have suffered whiplash as a result, your solicitors can help. They will be able to guide you through a claim from start to finish, from an initial enquiry, gaining an expert medical report, to negotiating a final settlement. You only have three years to make a claim, so do not hesitate to contact them for advice.


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