Car accident claims
Whiplash Claims
Whiplash is the most common injury after a car accident. If yours was not your fault, you could claim compensation for the injury and for the costs it has left you with. We connect you with regulated specialists who can pursue your whiplash claim.
Last reviewed: Reviewed by the Auto Crash Claims editorial team
What whiplash is
Whiplash is a neck injury caused when the head is thrown suddenly forwards and back. That is exactly what happens when a car is hit, especially from behind, which is why whiplash is the most common injury people report after a road accident. It strains the soft tissue in the neck and upper back. The tell-tale sign is that whiplash symptoms often do not show at the scene. Many people feel fine at first and only notice the pain, stiffness or headaches a day or two later.
How a whiplash claim works
If another driver was at fault, you could claim whiplash compensation for the injury and for the costs it has caused you. A medical assessment usually forms the basis of a whiplash claim, describing how serious the injury is and how long it is likely to affect you. In England and Wales, many lower-value whiplash claims are handled through the Official Injury Claim service using a fixed government tariff. Scotland has its own system and is not covered by that tariff, so the specialists we connect you with will handle your claim under the right rules for where it happened.
What you could claim for
A whiplash claim is not only about the injury. It can also cover treatment such as physiotherapy, repairs to your car or its value if it is written off, a replacement vehicle, lost earnings and your out-of-pocket costs. You do not have to work out what you are owed, because that is what the regulated specialists are for. A free, no-obligation whiplash claim check is the simplest way to find out whether you have a claim.
What you could be owed
- The whiplash injury itself: pain, stiffness and the effect on your daily life
- Treatment such as physiotherapy to help you recover
- Repairs to your vehicle, or its value if it is written off
- A like-for-like replacement vehicle while yours is off the road
- Lost earnings if the injury kept you off work
- Out-of-pocket costs, including travel to medical appointments
What you could receive depends on your circumstances.
When you can claim
If another driver caused your accident and you were injured, you may be able to make a whiplash claim. This is true even if the symptoms only came on a day or two later, which is common with whiplash. Time limits generally apply, usually three years from the date of the accident, so it is best not to wait. A free whiplash claim check tells you where you stand.
Making a claim is simpler than you think
- 1
Tell us what happened
Answer a few quick questions about your accident. It takes a couple of minutes and there’s no obligation.
- 2
We connect you with specialists
We pass your details to the regulated specialists we work with, who’ll look at whether you have a claim.
- 3
They handle the rest
If you have a case, the specialists can pursue your compensation and keep you updated, while you get back to normal.
Frequently asked questions
What does whiplash actually feel like?
Typically neck pain and stiffness, headaches, and sometimes shoulder or back pain and dizziness. Whiplash symptoms often appear a few hours or days after the accident rather than straight away.
How is whiplash compensation worked out?
It depends on how serious the injury is and how long it affects you, guided by medical evidence. In England and Wales, many lower-value whiplash claims are valued using a fixed government tariff through the Official Injury Claim service. Scotland uses its own approach.
It was a low-speed knock. Can I still claim for whiplash?
Yes. Whiplash is common even at low speed, because it is the sudden jolt rather than the force that causes it. If the accident was not your fault and you were hurt, it is worth checking your claim.
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Find out what you could be owed
It takes a couple of minutes, it’s free, and there’s no obligation.