Has anyone been through a whiplash injury claim before? Can you talk me through it?

[MoonBaby1]

I was in a car accident that wasn’t my fault and whilst alerting my insurance company (for the car which was a complete right off) I had a call from a company affiliated with my insurers.

They asked a lot of leading questions which I answered honestly despite being a bit wary of them being potential ambulance chasers, I said no psychological damage but have whiplash diagnosed by my local gp (who referred me to physio and prescribed diazepam and codiene).

So I agreed to put in a claim.
What happens now? Does anyone from experience know how long it takes to process or what kind of settlement I might get? Many thanks.

Their insurer will contact you. They will need your medical records and may request you attend an examination. They will want to know if you have had any financial losses such as not being able to work, not being able to drive and getting taxis etc. It can take well over a year to settle these things and if you haven't got any financial loss or physiological effect, you will get very little. Plus, you are completely reliant on the other driver taking full responsibility for the collision.

Thank you for replying. The other driver has accepted full responsibility and did so in front of a police witness at the time.

It’s not stopping me working and I’m already driving my hire car and have been upfront and honest about both. I’m not looking for a big payout and feel like they’ve slightly pushed me to go through with the claim. I’m getting free private physio on the insurance which is great as my neck and back still really hurt. That’s all I really wanted!

You aren't obliged to go through with the claim.

I went through this op. Hit by another car so had whiplash. The driver admitted full liability. The car was repaired cost to them. I had a call from shoesmiths llp about making a claim which I did. I was independently assessed by their own specialist. From memory I was compensated to the tune of about 10 osteopath sessions at £50 each and future sessions. I think they included travel and phone calls and time too. I got about £1800 which covered it. I do t recall how much their fee was but tbh I was happy to receive the compensation as it meant I didn’t have the worry and booked osteopath as and when. Good luck

Thank you, I have my first physio appt tomorrow which I really grateful for!

My car (and theirs) was a complete right off so have received the equal pittance I paid for the car in the first place.

I wonder if the rest of the claim will go anywhere but I’m not too bothered as I’m getting the right medical help.

I used to work at a solicitors and dealt with PI claims. You will be sent for a medical examination in your local area. The amount of compensation you receive will be based on the severity and duration of your injuries and also dual site or single site (i.e neck/shoulder pain would be classed as single site).

you should receive a copy of your medical report to read through and approve before it is disclosed to the other drivers insurers.

For minor injuries like 3-4 weeks neck/shoulder pain you may be looking at approx. £1200 but bear in mind that solicitors and claims companies are entitled to up to 25% of what you are awarded.

if the other driver has accepted fault, the claim will most likely be dealt with on a "small claims portal" where the solicitors/claims handlers will simply upload your medical report and/or additional expenses and begin negotiating and usually come to some sort of settlement agreement within 3-4 weeks.

This is just my experience dealing with a typical minor injury claim, and obviously it is subject to change based on each individual claim.

hope this helps a little!

Wow, that helps a lot. The reason I’ve gone ahead with this was more for the free physio which I had today. He said on examination it’s quite severe whiplash and that I’ll have twice weekly sessions (covered by insurance). I answered honestly about will it affect me working (it won’t) and have I missed any work (I haven’t) so I won’t expect anything more than the physio which I’m very grateful for. No one from the company has mentioned a private medical review so I’m not sure about that.