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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To claim for whiplash?

27 replies

JuliePatchouli · 11/08/2017 21:51

A truck crashed into me on the motorway recently. Completely his fault, he didn't look before changing lanes and swiped my car and swung it about across a few lanes. Really scary.

Woke up a few days later with a really sore back, figured it would be get better within a few days, but it just kept getting worse and by a fortnight later it was completely seizing up at night, with sharp pains during the day when turning or lifting. I went to the GP who said it was whiplash, and I'd need physiotherapy or it would keep getting worse.

He said that he could put me on the NHS waiting list, but it would be 6 months, or I could claim through insurance for my injury.

I've never liked the claim culture, but I think this a legitimate reason to claim?

OP posts:

MumsOnCrack · 11/08/2017 21:52

If you have whiplash then claim for it. If you don't then don't...?!

DJBaggySmalls · 11/08/2017 21:53

Yes it is a good reason to claim, whiplash is extremely painful and limiting. Dont take any chances with your back or neck!

StillDrivingMeBonkers · 11/08/2017 21:54

Claim for private physio surely? If your insurance policy covers it then utilise it.

Or are you claiming for resultant damaged from the accident? Insurance companies have clamped down on this now.

mikeyssister · 11/08/2017 21:57

I spent two years recovering from whiplash. Absolutely claim and get the physio as soon as possible.

KanielOutis · 11/08/2017 21:58

Claim for private physio. The personal injury claim will be sorted after. I was in a car accident in December, displaced my collar bone and had six months of private physio. I was awarded £3750 in compensation. There is no need to wait for NHS physio when you are covered for private. My physio sessions started within a week of the accident.

Oysterbabe · 11/08/2017 21:58

Yes claim. Your solicitor will have you at a physio within a couple of weeks.

Original poster

JuliePatchouli · 11/08/2017 22:00

My insurance doesn't cover it, I've to claim off the lorry driver's insurance.

I never expected whiplash to be so painful

OP posts:

Glumglowworm · 11/08/2017 22:03

Since you have whiplash yanbu to claim for it obviously

It would only be unreasonable to claim for whiplash if you did not actually have whiplash

Oysterbabe · 11/08/2017 22:06

Julie do your insurer have a solicitor they recommend? Most of them partner up with a solicitor to refer their injured customers too. It's definitely worth going through one as they'll sort everything out for you.

MammaTJ · 11/08/2017 22:06

It is debilitating!! I had it years ago, after falling down some stairs at work. I think I must have blacked out though, so didn't claim. There were shoe marks at head height on the wall by the staircase, so fuck knows what happened. Work were good, in that they 'found' I had a few days holiday that I knew I did not have left.

YANBU to claim for it. It was someone elses fault, they have insurance.

Original poster

JuliePatchouli · 11/08/2017 22:08

I didn't sign up for that extra cover Oyster but my union in work do have a solicitor they use who will deal with it for me.

OP posts:

Youcanttaketheskyfromme · 11/08/2017 22:11

God yes - when people actually have whiplash it's very painful and takes a while to go away. I remember a friend of mine having it.

user1468353179 · 11/08/2017 22:19

I had whiplash after bumping another car, my fault I was in agony and couldn't sleep or move my head I had phsyio on the NHS but would have gone private if it was someone elses's fault. Get it seen to, it's really painful.

user1468353179 · 11/08/2017 22:19

Meant to say else's.

Original poster

JuliePatchouli · 11/08/2017 22:21

Or are you claiming for resultant damaged from the accident? Insurance companies have clamped down on this now.

What do you mean, Bonkers? As in the damage to my car? Yes I'm claiming for that as well, my car was quite badly damaged and needed to be fixed. My insurance did cover that but the truck's insurance will then pay.

OP posts:

Petal12 · 11/08/2017 22:47

Just claim direct from the lorrys insurers. They'll probably have a private physio supplier they can put you through. It's not hard to do it yourself, you don't need a solicitor or legal expenses cover.

Oysterbabe · 11/08/2017 22:50

The only issue with that is the insurer will want to pay you off as cheaply as possible. Your own solicitor will be able to advise as to how much your claim is actually worth and negotiate a fair settlement.

MyLittlePickleBoo · 11/08/2017 23:28

Yes, absolutely do claim for personal injury.

My parents were hurt in an accident (not their fault at all) and didn't want to claim for injuries just because they didn't believe in it...

Both of them had injuries that it turns out are lifelong. :( They had no idea at the time how serious it all was. As a result my dad had to give up work. They've lost out massively financially because they didn't want to claim for injury at the time.

WhichJob · 11/08/2017 23:31

MyLittle, that sounds awful.

I got whiplash, I claimed for whiplash. Ten years on it can still bother me so I still have occasional physio. Claim.

PunnetSquare · 11/08/2017 23:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

safariboot · 11/08/2017 23:40

YANBU if you are actually in pain. Dur. That said don't be surprised if the insurer tries to (and perhaps even succeeds) in rejecting your claim.

My mother suffered shoulder pain for years after being in a crash in a social worker's car. She was prescribed strong painkillers, but this was before the 'no win no fee' lawyers so she never got a penny from anyone.

TheCuriousOwl · 11/08/2017 23:47

Claim! Love from hurty of London who had physio today and is sore (stupid woman rear ended me when I was stationary and it's buggered my hip)

Seren85 · 11/08/2017 23:54

You have been injured and are in pain. It wasn't your fault. Of course you should claim. Get a solicitor of your own and they will sort the physio and compensation. Insurers are rightly clamping down on fraudulent claims and the industry in general has tightened the costs awarded to claimant PI sols. That doesn't apply to as you're genuinely injured. Proper whiplash is very dehabilitating.

milliemolliemou · 12/08/2017 00:06

YANBU and get treatment soon as.

What people are clamping down on are the arranged accidents and bogus whiplash claims - there are lawyers touting for no win no fee cases (google) and even advising what symptons to take to the doctors. It costs honest drivers millions in increased insurance and the country millions in court cases.

Sanoffyhighstepson · 12/08/2017 00:46

In this instance claim. I was hit by a drunk driver 11 years ago resulting in severe whiplash. My neck muscles actually tore and my shoulder and spine damaged. My employer ( I was working at the time of the accident) sued on my behalf so I was able to seek help and my pay was covered. I will never be 100% again. Had to give up golf. Can't swing anymore. Sue and get the best treatment you can. Real whiplash is a horrendous injury that will haunt you

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