Sunday, October 18, 2009

CLAIM 4 WHIPLASH: Symptoms of Whiplash Injury

Whiplash symptoms can occur due to a sudden movement of the head in a forward, sideways or backward movement. Whilst most common in road traffic accidents due to a sudden collision, whiplash symptoms can occur due to accidents at work, sporting activities or even slips.

Common whiplash symptoms are headaches, neck pain and stiffening of the muscles, shoulder pain and tingling and heavy sensations in your arms. It causes damages to the disks and nerves and you should seek medical attention as soon as possible after the accident. In road traffic accidents whiplash is caused by the head being thrown backwards whilst the body is thrown forwards. The head may typically be thrown forward again if the car slams it brakes on.

Around 20 % of people who have the unfortunate of being hit in the rear by another vehicle suffer whiplash symptoms.

Whiplash has been described as "an acceleration-deceleration mechanism of energy transfer to the neck It may result from rear end or side-impact motor vehicle collisions, but can also occur during diving and other mishaps. The impact may result in bony or soft-tissue injuries (whiplash injury); this in turn may lead to a variety of clinical manifestations (Whiplash-Associated Disorders)."This definition is from a study, known as the Quebec Task Force on Whiplash-Associated Disorders (WADs).

One of the most common whiplash symptoms is restricted neck movement due to severe pain and discomfort. In the past doctors recommended that people wore neck collars to assist recovery. It is now believed that that if a collar is used for more than a couple of days it can have a detrimental effect and delay the recovery period.

It is uncommon for there to be any bones broken or anything more serious than damage to the neck muscles, ligaments and joints. This is known as soft tissue damage and the pain can take anything from a couple of hours to weeks to start causing problems.

There has been much debate within the medical profession regarding the treatment of whiplash symptoms and it is an area where there is still a lot of disagreement on acceptable treatment for the injuries.

Whilst most people recover within 3 months of the accident whiplash symptoms can still be prevalent for up to 2 years after the accident and can affect many of the daily activities that people take for granted. In serious cases you may wish to visit a chiropractor or receive physiotherapy to ease the pain.

To read the full article, click Symptoms of Whiplash Injury

Sunday, October 11, 2009

CLAIM 4 WHIPLASH: Insurance Whiplash

Insurance whiplash is claimed by people who suffer whiplash injuries. Whiplash is a serious injury that happens by the backward and forward movement of a person's head due to sudden acceleration or deceleration of a vehicle that sustains a collision. The pain may be due to the stretching of the neck muscles or ligaments which sometimes produce muscle spasm. Whiplash injury is very painful and the person may suffer a long term pain or even be immobilized. The victim can claim insurance for whiplash but it is not so easy to get insurance whiplash.

People may experience symptoms of whiplash injuries either that day itself or two or more days after the accident. Symptoms of whiplash injury such as stiffness in neck, pain in neck and shoulders, headaches, pain in the shoulder blades, pain in the cervical part of the spine, numbness at the back, low back pain, irritability, ringing in the ears, fatigue, sleeplessness, blurred vision, poor concentration and dizziness may appear.

Most injuries involve cervical region of the spine. Because of this, people in the insurance claims are suspicious, when people claim compensation for whiplash as injury. Many insurance people believe that those who come to claim for whiplash may intend to deceive, defraud or cheat the insurance company assuming to be whiplash injury.

To claim insurance whiplash, the claimant should have sufficient proof to confirm that the injury is authentic. To prove that the claimant is suffering a whiplash injury, he must produce a medical report from a doctor clearly describing that it is a whiplash injury. The doctor's medical report should provide specific details about the injury like how acute and painful the whiplash injury is and what type of whiplash injury the patient is suffering.

It is very horrifying to know that car accidents reported by the National Transportation office are over three million every year and the insurance companies pay nearly 20 billion dollars annually. Insurance company provides enormous amount of data regarding whiplash injuries and the amount paid to settle down the claim.

Some of the damages of whiplash injury that should be ruled out properly are replacement and repair of the property including the vehicle and any personal property, loss of salary and future wages or earning capacity, payment of medical bills related to the accident and future expenses and compensation for pain in neck, shoulder and the back. This would help...

To read the full article, click Insurance Whiplash

Monday, October 5, 2009

CLAIM 4 WHIPLASH: Treatment

If you are suffering the symptoms of whiplash then in the first 24 hours of it appearing you should apply an ice pack to your neck as a way of relieving inflammation. This ice pack should be wrapped in a towel, never apply it directly to the skin, and it should be placed on the affected area in 20 minute intervals. As well as this you should be taking regular painkillers. If these painkillers however fail to have any affect it is important that you visit your doctor in order to get stronger painkillers or to find a better way of dealing with the problem.

It has been estimated that about two in three people who are involved in car crash will develop neck pain. This neck pain could appear as the only symptom that you are suffering from or you may be suffering neck pain along with an array of other symptoms. One thing that many people don't realise is that you can be suffering from whiplash even if your road traffic accident was minor. Even slow car bumps may cause enough of a jolt to the neck to cause symptoms.

Even though the symptoms of whiplash usually clear up within a few days there are a select few people who may still experience the symptoms of whiplash for as long as 15 years after the injury. It is unknown why some people get more problems with whiplash than others but in certain cases it does happen.

If you have suffered whiplash in the last three years then you could be entitled to make a claim for compensation if the accident that caused your whiplash wasn't your fault. For more information about claiming compensation after an accident that has left you suffering the effects of whiplash then get in touch with a legal firm today and they will do everything possible to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve after an accident that wasn't your fault.

Accident Claim Aid, specialists in all aspects of helping you make a compensation claim, which includes Whiplash compensation claims.

Monday, September 28, 2009

CLAIM 4 WHIPLASH: Settlement

"Whiplash settlements made easy", would be very informative to those people who are suffering from whiplash and are in the process of seeking whiplash settlements. Millions of car accidents are reported globally and a majority of them suffer whiplash injuries in the event of the collision of the car.

Whiplash can be described as an injury of the soft tissues around the neck. Some of the symptoms of the whiplash injury are pain and stiffness in the neck, nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, dizziness etc. These symptoms might manifest immediately or after a few hours of the accident. The severity of the disease depends upon the severity of the whiplash injuries caused during the accident. Whiplash settlements can be made easy if one seeks expert legal advice. Some of the whiplash injuries might lead to serious problems in the future. So it is essential to seek medical assistance and legal assistance immediately.

Whiplash settlements can be made easy with legal assistance. The whiplash settlements can be made with the insurance company or it could be sought through the court with the assistance of an expert whiplash injury solicitor. If the claim is made to the insurance company the compensation secured will be based on the settlement with the insurance company. However if it is sought through legal assistance the claim can be made under two heads namely general damages and special damages. General damages are made on the basis of the pain and the suffering caused as a result of the injury. The court has fixed guidelines for the payment of general damages but however the general damages paid also depends on the medical report of the injured and the emotional stress and other factors which would have led to depression and mental strains.

The Special damages however include the loss of pay as a result of the accident, the loss of future earnings as a result of the accident, transport charges as a result of the vehicle being in the repair shop, the nursing assistance etc will be paid under the Special damages. To claim the compensation the injured has to keep a record of all the bills related to the expenses of the injury.

Whiplash settlements can be made with the insurance company if the injured agrees to enter into an agreement with the insurance company and accordingly the insurance company can pay the compensation fully or through installments. The whiplash injured cannot put forth his claim in the future and ask for more compensation.

To read the full article, click Whiplash Settlements Made Easy

Monday, September 21, 2009

CLAIM 4 WHIPLASH: Compensation Solicitor

Whiplash injuries are typically harder to classify, along with other injuries that an individual is prone to suffer. A person who has suffered such an injury can apply for a whiplash compensation claim, providing somebody else was at fault for actually causing the whiplash injury. In order to help the processing of such a claim, it will be valuable to obtain the assistance of a specialist whiplash accident claims solicitor. The underlying cause of a whiplash type injury is the hyper-extension of the neck area in a backward and forward manner.

For most victims, a traffic collision, such as a car, motorbike or bus accident precedes this type of injury. Road traffic accidents are common scenarios when people experience whiplash injuries. Sports-related accidents are also among the causes of a whiplash injury, as well as other types of accidents such as slips and trips. The symptoms of a whiplash injury are as follows:

Stiffness in the neck
Memory loss or loss of concentration
Lethargy
Pain in the shoulders
Blurred eyesight
Sleeplessness
Vertigo
Pain in the lower back
Headache

Through a reliable specialist whiplash personal injury claims company, complainants can process their claims more efficiently. You will be able to find professional specialists who have had substantial experience in handling such claims. Moreover, online services are available for people who plan on making a claim immediately. Anyone can access this service, and will be provided with a short procedural guidance. Even better, the consultation services are completely free and without obligation.

Moreover, for accident victims, there are also expert service providers on accident claim solicitations. These service providers make available the right solutions, along with whiplash injury claim solicitors.
The services offered by solicitors include providing answers to inquiries, offering guidance and recommendations, and processing the compensation as effectively as possible. As long as the solicitors have the needed experience in handling such cases, any complainant is guaranteed to have the best possible legal representation.

It is not necessary for anyone to undergo discomfort due to the carelessness of others. There are various debilitating symptoms associated with a whiplash injury. In chronic cases, there can be headaches, tingling sensation in the arms, insomnia, and even sexual problems.

These specialists in whiplash personal injury claims can help the complainant obtain the needed compensation within a specified period of time. Through expense-free legal advice and recommendations, the processing can be made more expedient. Any whiplash injury victim can claim damages arising from pain, loss of income, as well as to pay for expenses disbursed in medical treatments and medications.

To read the full article, click Choosing a Whiplash Compensation Solicitor

Monday, September 14, 2009

CLAIM 4 WHIPLASH: Protection from Cars

Thatcham, the car insurers research centre has released studies which place small city cars at the bottom of the pile for safety. Small models such as the Ford Ka and Fiat Panda which many drive in an effort to reduce emissions were both rated as poor for whiplash protection.

Smaller, lighter cars offer less protection from whiplash due to their light build and manufacturers need to compensate for this with better headrest protection. The study focused mainly on headrest protection and found that smaller cars were consistently lagging behind in their standards of headrest protection.

Drivers wishing to reduce emissions and fit into small spaces in the city environment are losing out when it comes to safety. No city cars included in the study were rated as good for whiplash protection.

Rear end shunts at low speed are common accidents in city centres and the most popular cars are not offering adequate protection from whiplash. Low speed collisions are a major cause of whiplash injuries and even minor accidents can result in painful long term damage.

The newly released Fiat 500, expected to achieve a good rating was deemed to only offer marginal protection from whiplash injuries. The highest scoring makes were Audi, Volvo and Saab. These makes of car scored good for seat design across all models.

Crash research manager Matthew Avery is concerned that safety should not become a luxury, with only the more expensive models offering high standards of safety. He hopes that the study can go some way towards prompting manufacturers to provide higher levels of headrest and seat protection as standard.

Mr Avery feels that manufacturers of these smaller models are not primarily concerned with safety.

Although the knowledge is there to fit smaller cars with high levels of whiplash protection it is not being done.

The smaller models aimed at city types place more priority on keeping the price low and the weight of the car down. Larger cars aimed at families place much more emphasis on safety than these smaller cars driven mostly by younger, single people without families.

Mr Avery urges manufacturers to work harder at providing whiplash protection, especially as whiplash is one of the most common injuries and is particularly common in low speed city crashes, where the majority of these cars are being driven.

"'Although across the board we are seeing improved seat designs with around 75% of all new seats tested now achieving a "good" or "acceptable" rating, more can certainly still be done."

"City cars are not equipped to protect their occupants' necks when they have to absorb the crash energy from larger, heavier vehicles which, combined with poor seat design, makes whiplash far more likely."

The study will hopefully cause manufactures to sit up and take notice. Failing to provide adequate protection from whiplash in the type of cars most likely to be involved in the type of accidents which cause whiplash injuries is surely a grave oversight.

To read the full article, click City Cars Offer Poor Whiplash Protection

Sunday, September 6, 2009

CLAIM 4 WHIPLASH: Claims Company (Online)

Online whiplash compensation claims company can help you seek suitable claim for injury suffered. The service is not only free and easy but also cost free.

Online whiplash claim is a hassle free process. You can get all the required information on whiplash injuries online. Enjoy the following benefits from this service now:

• You need not pay any fees for the service.
• Even if you lose your whiplash claim, you will not be forced to pay.
• You are assured of receiving 100 per cent of your compensation if your claim is successful.
• You just need to fill in an online whiplash claim form and submit it.
• You can get expert advice of whiplash solicitors.

Seeking help from online whiplash compensation claims company in UK can help fasten up the process of securing compensation. these companies have qualified and well experienced advisors who will take upon your case and provide the best solution for you. Do away with the hassle of running around to secure compensation. Make a successful claim by approaching them now. They will act on your behalf and help you get the full level of compensation you rightfully deserve.

Providing details of any eyewitnesses of the incident who can vouch for what happened. In case, you have any photographs of the scene, do provide the same.

To read the full article, click Online Whiplash Compensation Claims Company

Sunday, August 30, 2009

CLAIM 4 WHIPLASH: Claims Lawyers

The thought of making a claim after an accident doesn't even cross the mind of the victim. The impact of the pain is such that majority of the victims of the accident overlook the fact that they can make a claim. The victims of the accidents suffer from not only physical pain but also emotional trauma. In such circumstance, the thought of making a claim may not strike the victims of the accident.

If you've been involved in a road accident whether as a driver, passenger or pedestrian you are very much entitled to make a claim. You may never know how long it may take for the injury to heal completely. If the injury is severe, it may take years. Besides, one may also have to cope up with the monetary losses in the form of damage to property and medical expenses.

For those who have suffered whiplash injuries can benefit by approaching no win no fee whiplash claims lawyer. These lawyers have an in depth experience in handling such cases. They can guide the victim of an accident to follow the necessary steps to get over the situation in a short period of time. Under the provision of no win no fee claims, the claimant need not pay any fee in case he loses the case.

It is very easy to get carried away by vague figures that some of the sites may portray as compensation you might receive. It is always safe to approach a lawyer who can study the case and arrive at conclusive figures and appropriate course of action. One must understand the fact that whiplash claims are not similar to other kinds of claims. It is not easy determining the severity of the injury. Hence, it calls for experts' opinion.

Some of the common symptoms of whiplash injuries are pain around the neck, shoulder, dizziness, insomnia, fatigue etc. One should consult a doctor immediately after noticing such changes. Whiplash injury claims can provide victims of accident get compensated adequately for the losses suffered.

Whiplash claim lawyers can also guide the victims through the entire process of making a claim. They can give the exact estimate of the whiplash compensation that one can get. It is the right of every victim of an accident to make a claim. The chances of getting compensation are much higher as long as the injury has resulted due to the negligence of someone else. Whiplash injury claims have become a common occurrence these days.

Before approaching any company, one must ensure that has a track record of handling such cases well. Not all the companies that promise of proving compensation actually succeed. One must do a careful research before zeroing in on a company. Whiplash injury claim company can provide adequate guidance on how to make a claim successfully.

To read the full article, click No Win, No Fee Whiplash Claims Lawyers

Saturday, August 29, 2009

CLAIM 4 WHIPLASH: Growing Whiplash Claims in UK

The number of compensation claims filed in the UK has soared incredibly as more people claim to have suffered from a personal injury be it regarding an accident at work, a fall on a public road or road collision.

However, the main culprit for the increase is believed to be whiplash claims. According to research, a majority of compensation claims made are because of whiplash injuries.

Figures from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) has found that the number of claims made through whiplash injuries adds up to an average 1,200 claims a day across the UK.

40 per cent of Europe's insurance claims are made up of whiplash injuries in comparison to 75 per cent in the UK, costing the NHS up to £8 million per year to deal with the victims.

Staging accidents As Government figures prove that Britain's roads are becoming safer, it can only be considered that the growing number of whiplash claims is down to organised fraud.

The rise in whiplash claims could be down to the number of fraudsters staging accidents in order to receive compensation.

According to the Automobile Association, the number of those who claim to be suffering from minor, low-speed accidents has risen by 25 per cent over the past five years.

As more fraudsters hit the roads, the number of road accidents that are deliberately staged will also grow raising the amount of compensation being payed out considerably.

In 2007, the number of whiplash claims filed had cost the insurance industry £1.9 billion in compensation after 430,000 people had made a claim, according to the ABI.

Figures are expected to reach the half-million mark this year with the amount of compensation adding up to £2 billion.

Compensation claims to increase premiums As the number of whiplash claims increases, insurers believe that car insurance premiums are also set to soar alongside it.

Insurance director, Simon Douglas of AA said: 'The cost of whiplash claims equates to about £66 for every UK car insurance policy, or about 14 per cent of the average car insurance premium. This is more than twice the cost of claims for accidents with uninsured drivers.

Over the past year the average premium for a comprehensive car insurance policy increased by 8.7 per cent and whiplash injury will become an increasingly important factor in future premium increases."

To read the full article, click A Major Culprit in Growing Whiplash Compensation Claims in UK

Thursday, August 27, 2009

CLAIM 4 WHIPLASH: Compensation Claim

Even the most cynical of us would agree that occasionally accidents do happen. However, more often than not, an 'accident' isn't really an 'accident' at all and a certain level of fault for the accident has to be placed squarely on the shoulder of the person who caused the accident. The same is certainly true in the case of a car accident. So, how would you go about getting proper whiplash compensation following a car accident?

Unlike other injuries that can occur in a car accident, more often than not the symptoms of whiplash, such as a whiplash neck injury, will not manifest themselves until the morning after. Usually, the accident will cause the whiplash to manifest in the form of:

• a headache, most likely all over the head with particular emphasis on the back of the head, or the forehead, or behind the eyes of the victim; or
• neck pain; or
• both of the above, with the headache likely to be more painful initially than the neck ache, but with the neck ache likely to be more prolonged and with the chance of this developing into Osteoarthritis in the future.

So, with an accident injury of this nature, i.e. one that does not manifest itself immediately, you would think that making a whiplash injury compensation claim would be an extremely onerous task – as causation proof of the injury would be difficult. However, you can make it easier to make a compensation claim for whiplash if you adhere to the following guideline procedures following the accident:

1. As Soon As You Can, Write Down Exactly What Happened That Caused The Accident To Happen

When you write your notes about what happened to cause the accident, which you should try and do as soon as you can following the accident. You need to make notes of exactly what happened leading up to the accident, during the accident and subsequent to the accident. You should also take note of:

• where the accident took place
• what the weather conditions were like (e.g. was it foggy and slippery?)
• what the time was
• whether there were any witnesses who can verify your story
• exactly what you said to the other person(s) involved

If possible you should use your mobile phone camera to take photographs of the damage done to your car and you, as well as of the road surface and the general weather conditions.

2. Have A Medical Examination Immediately

Even if you are not feeling too bad following your accident, it can take a few hours, even a sleep, for the symptoms of whiplash to manifest. However, the longer you leave it until you get a medical examination the more chance there will be that the person who caused the accident can say that your injuries could have been caused by something else other than the car accident. Or, worse, the whiplash injuries could have been mitigated if only you had sought medical attention earlier.

To protect both yourself and your potential whiplash injury compensation claim, you should take yourself off to the hospital and have a complete medical examination as soon as you can, following the accident. Once you have had the examination you should ask the doctor to write a report detailing the chances of you having suffered an injury as a result of the accident – including the chances of you having suffered whiplash.

If you do this, you may well find that it is a lot harder for the person who caused your injury to claim that the whiplash was the cause of anything but their actions.

Keep in mind that whiplash injuries can have lasting effects. They can also have a very dramatic effect on your life – especially if they manifest into Osteoarthritis. So do not take a potential whiplash injury lightly and make sure that you protect any future rights that you may have to bring a whiplash injury claim.

To read the full article, click Whiplash Compensation Claim - Take These Actions