Whiplash Claims ?

So what is whiplash and how can you get it?

Whiplash is a result of muscle tissue damage in the neck and around the the top of the shoulder area. The pain can be instant or delayed, it is very important that your whiplash injury is attended to be professional medical people, doctor - hospital etc. In an instance where a whiplash claim may be made a doctors report would be of great benefit should a claim be made for the whiplash.

What does it mean when the term whiplash is used?

Whiplash claims is a term used by the legal profession to describe basically a rear end shunt type of accident - where generally you the injury party will be hit from the rear by another car, van, truck etc that is travelling in the same direction as you but at a higher speed. Upon receiving the rear end impact your body moves forward leaving your head in the original position - the movement can be assimilated to that of say a whip - hence the term whiplash.

What are the symptoms for a whiplash injury?

Whiplash can manifest itself over hours or sometimes even days. Some of the following symptoms can be attributed to whiplash.

• Stiffness in the neck

• Swelling of the neck

• A feeling of tenderness on the back of the neck

• Reduced mobility of the neck

• headache

Other symptoms can include:

• Back pain in the lower back

• Numbness or pins & needles in the arms and hands

• dizziness of tiredness

• Spasms of the muscles

• blurred vision

• Ringing in the ears

The effects of whiplash are a result of inflammation, swelling and bruising of the neck muscles, the inflammation takes time to manifest itself and as a result whiplash symptoms can take between six or twelve hours to become evident. Following a whiplash injury we would recommend you see your Doctor / GP as soon as possible.

It has also been known for whiplash to actually cause memory loss, poor concentration and irritation.

What are the causes of a whiplash injury?

Whiplash can be caused when there is a sudden movement, jolt or jerk to the head which can cause it to move violently from the body. The energy involved in forcing the necks violent movement moves the neck farther than it's normal movement range - this in turn extends the tendons, ligaments and muscles within the neck region.

Typically Whiplash is related to motor vehicle accidents

• Car accidents

• Motorcycle / Motorbike accidents

• On a public vehicle - say a bus or a coach accident

• a fairground accident

• bumper cars - dodgems

Other types of whiplash accident

• sports injury

• Boxing

• Wrestling

• Rugby

• Kick Boxing

• Judo

The resulting injury would potentially be a whiplash claim