Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Re wanting to claim about this accident?

171 replies

Shehz21 · 13/12/2018 20:59

I was involved in a minor accident today. Me, DH and 9 month old were in the car heading back home when another car crashed into us from behind. The car had a "New Driver" sticker on it.
Thankfully none involved were badly injured though I knocked my head pretty hard against the headrest and saw black spots for couple of seconds. Baby was fine, just seemed a bit shocked and flushed.
The other driver and myself were extremely distraught,she had her DD aged 5/6 maybe in the front seat belted.
We both were understandably very worried for our respective children.
An hour after the accident I went to the A&E as I was feeling extremely lightheaded and nauseous. I started having a horrible headache and my muscles were in "spasm" as described by the doctor who saw me. He prescribed Naproxen and told me the pain would eventually go away.
Now hours after the accident,the headache is the worst I ever experienced in my life. My shoulders and neck are absolutely killing me.
Should I be claiming whiplash and which agencies would you recommend please?
I am so sorry for the long post, my thoughts are all over the place and I feel so sickSad

OP posts:
Original poster
Shehz21 · 13/12/2018 21:48

Thank you so much IrnBru and Oysterbabe
Was getting a bit fed up with all the judgemental people on here. Some of you really have a sad life.
Dh and I are both working full time and do not want some "quick buck" but I do think that if the pain persists,I SHOULD get compensated.
I have a much smaller frame than DH and the blow was worse for me in a way I guess.

TheRugby No the doctor didn't actually. Was told to expect pain for 2 weeks and crack on with Naproxen.

OP posts:
tablelegs · 13/12/2018 21:48

Whiplash usually takes longer to appear but considering how hard you're saying you hit your head, it's not impossible to show symptoms of it now.

Seek medical advice for the headache.

Sheldonoscopy · 13/12/2018 21:48

Ok when my dc was just over a year I was the passenger on public transport when due to the poor actions of another driver (later charged and found guilty of driving without due care) my arm was broken.
No actual crash, just the driver of my bus performed an emergency brake which caused my injury. I knew it was broken. Immediately. Made driver aware of injury but didn’t fill out a form- bus driver later reported incident to the police though.

I was in agony- my first priority was to get myself seen to and checked over, next was sorting out help for me and informing work (it meant I was unable to perform my duties).

I did eventually claim- and days after the accident I also had whiplash diagnosed, but the basis of my claim was my broken bone and the pain and inconvenience and cost it had caused me to hire in help with basic things like bathing my child.

I certainly didn’t immediately put my mind to making a claim, so I can understand everyone’s raised eyebrows at that- and as someone who suffers migraines I too am surprised if your head hurts so much you’re focusing on a screen, that surely can’t be helping?
Try to focus on you healing and caring for your little one

southnownorth · 13/12/2018 21:48

I suffered whiplash after a car went into the back of us at 30mph.

I don't think it hurt straight away, but awful the next day.

I had to had to have months of physio.

Even then, the payout was nothing spectacular.

They are really tightening their belts over whiplash claims.

SusanneLinder · 13/12/2018 21:50

I am going to tell you to keep an eye on your headache and get it checked.
DD and I were in ( what appeared) to be a minor accident. We werent going to claim, but glad we did. DD banged her head badly off the seatbelt, and it was initially diagnosed with whiplash. I had a back injury but I recovered.
She actually had a bleed on her brain, which wasnt immediate until she started losing her balance and her vision went. It actually took weeks before someone took notice, cos everyone said it was whiplash.Was in hospital for a month and
had to relearn to talk without a stutter.
Horrendous time for our family, so please don't make assumptions.

shamofamockery · 13/12/2018 21:50

But what are you claiming for if this happened today?? Loss of earnings? That's what the claim would be for - not the headache!!

Claw001 · 13/12/2018 21:52

It’s more a case of seeking medical advice if your symptoms persists, worsen etc.

You might recover in a few days. If not, get symptoms controlled and recorded. A claim for whiplash for just a few days, will not be worth claiming.

I think the average range for whiplash symptoms lasting a year is about £700!

PurpleFlower1983 · 13/12/2018 21:54

You will be entitled to claim OP but other posters are right, if the headache is truly as bad as you describe it’s a massive red flag after a head injury. I would be phoning for more advice.

dippledorus · 13/12/2018 21:54

How can you claim yet anyway? You can only claim for loss and it’s one day.

If your headache is really that bad then get to A&E. Otherwise you’ve hammed up for effect on here.

Sugarhunnyicedtea · 13/12/2018 21:55

If the pain persists and you are unable to work or continue with your usual day yp day activities because of it then you could claim, otherwise I'm not sure what you'd be claiming for?

Original poster
Shehz21 · 13/12/2018 21:55

I am so sorry for some of you about the stories re whiplash Sad sounds horrible.
I'm actually dreading what might happen within the next few days.. this was meant to be a nice day out for all of us as we cannot spend Christmas together due to our jobs :(

OP posts:
Pigriver · 13/12/2018 21:56

I had a similar accident 18 months ago. DS was almost 2 and still in a rf car seat and didn’t even cry. I was thrown forward and my glasses flew off. I was in constant pain for almost 2 weeks and still had daily pain a year later. Insurance has paid for 12 sessions of physio which has really helped yet I am embarrassed to say I’m claiming for whiplash as everyone thinks it’s a con 🙄

TheLittlestLightOnTheTree · 13/12/2018 21:56

I'd be more concerned about my health and I'd be prioritising that rather than spending the evening with the 'worst headache of my life' squinting at a computer screen!! How's that going to ease a headache?

But it takes all sorts I guess. Grab the cash op, why not! How much are you expecting?

Oysterbabe · 13/12/2018 21:56

I think the average range for whiplash symptoms lasting a year is about £700!

It's a lot more than that, more like £3500. If it lasts a month then about £1200. There are reforms coming in that will massively reduce these payouts but it won't kick in until April.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 13/12/2018 21:59

Just as a point of reference; if it's on your medical notes that you suffer badly with things like head aches anyway (such as in pregnancy), that will reduce any payout as they are based on loss. The amount awarded for actual suffering is usually very small.

I hope you feel better soon. I'd put off any thoughts about claiming for now and focus on that; and review your losses afterwards Thanks

Original poster
Shehz21 · 13/12/2018 21:59

Just to clear everything again, I have been to A&E and already been diagnosed with whiplash,asked for an MRI due to my horrible headache but was told at this point an MRI would do more bad than good. I mentioned to the Dr that I could hear a buzzing sound and my headache was really bad but he clearly told me to crack on with painkillers.
After couple of hours when I got home, the pain exacerbated and I called 111 and was told a headache is to expected and to take the Naproxen and to see my GP tomorrow if it's still quite bad.

OP posts:
Sugarhunnyicedtea · 13/12/2018 22:00

I'm not sure why an xray or mri would do more harm than good? Did you ask why you were told this?

BlaaBlaaBlaa · 13/12/2018 22:01

I've got whiplash in my lower back which is causing awful sciatica. I can't drive without being in agony or sit for longer that 30mins. Not good when I have do a significant amount of writing for my job. It drives me to tears daily.
I've had months of physio, an MRI, 2 epidurals and cortisone.
I'm having to come to terms with the fact this is something I'll suffer with long term.
My accident was 9 months ago. It's most definitely not a quick or easy buck. It's bloody awful.

Claw001 · 13/12/2018 22:02

Oyster google says this!

Re wanting to claim about this accident?
Original poster
Shehz21 · 13/12/2018 22:02

sugarhunny I was still quite distraught after waiting for 2 hours to be seen and was fobbed off spectacularly. He kept saying " uhh we do not offer MRI anymore" "if it gets worse, you can always come back".

OP posts:
SD1978 · 13/12/2018 22:02

Your accident was today, less than 12 hours, and you've already thought about suing for an injury that may not exist? All whilst having the worse headache ever, yet still finding electronic devices ok to focus on? Maybe just take the pain relief, rest, and wait?

Sugarhunnyicedtea · 13/12/2018 22:06

To be honest it all sounds a bit over dramatised. You were distraught at having to wait in a&e?
If you went because you felt light headed and nauseous then an mri was unnecessary. If the headache is a new development then you could go back - be prepared to wait again though.

Original poster
Shehz21 · 13/12/2018 22:07

Blaablaa I'm so sorry about your accident. I cannot imagine living with this pain for 9 months,how are you doing it?!Shock

I really hope you feel better soon..Flowers

AnchorDeep I work in the Aviation Industry, don't want to give away too much but my job involves me to be available at odd hours and physically fit.
On another note,thank you guys for the bit about claiming losses re work. Like I mentioned,never been in an accident before and wasn't even quite sure what to claim on. Just this awful pain and thought that if it persists, I needed to be compensated somehow.

OP posts:
BlaaBlaaBlaa · 13/12/2018 22:07

Oh and they won't give you an MRI immediately. You'll need to have been suffering for months and really have to fight for one.

olivertwistwantsmore · 13/12/2018 22:08

Am currently going through the process myself and this is the third time in about 7 years that I have had to make a claim for whiplash

Really, irnbruforlife - Three times in seven years? How many miles do you drive, and how many accidents have you been in?