Whiplash

In this day and age there are more vehicles on our roads and resultantly an increased chance of two or more of them colliding. By far the most common claim arising as a result of a car accident is for whiplash compensation. The condition giving rise to this type of claim is defined as "an injury to the cervical spine brought about by a sudden acceleration or deceleration of the body".

Whilst the motor industry are making cars more rigid and thus lessening the more serious injuries caused by the unfair contest of metal hitting bone, the force generated by two cars colliding still needs to go somewhere. The only way for this force to disburse itself is through the whole of the chassis including the driver's compartment which means that the occupants are also subjected to the effects.

This injury cannot actually be seen with the naked eye however this does not mean that it's symptoms are nonetheless painful. In most cases the onset of its effects will be instant however it is not uncommon for these to be delayed for 24/48 hours whilst the body effectively "regroups" after all the trauma and shock it has been through. An attendance at accident and emergency or a GP is normally the first port of call after an accident and is essential to create a medical record upon which to base a claim. More often than not people will be checked over and then discharged, possibly with analgesics and/or a soft collar. In the more serious cases x-rays or MRI/CAT scans could be requested, but thankfully this is very much in the minority.

Fortunately our bodies are good self healers, even though this can vary with age. A lot of sufferers therefore tend to be over the worst after a couple of weeks, but in certain cases the symptoms may persist for months/years, or even indefinitely. Fortunately there are a whole plethora of treatments available which provide relief by manipulating the neck and back area. These include physiotherapy, osteopathy and the lesser known skills offered by chiropractors. It is also not uncommon for victims to sometimes resort to the very obscure including acupuncture and herbal medicine if there is a remote chance that it will provide them with some relief.

There continues to be lots of debate as to validity of injuries which occur to the neck and cervical spine. Those whom are being claimed against and are paying out sums of money for whiplash compensation, i.e. the motor insurance industry, often adopt an air of scepticism especially if the alleged condition arose from a minor impact. It probably goes without saying that it is easier to see a break or a bruise rather than a sprain. However against this it is medically accepted that less force is required to disrupt the cervical spine than a solid bone such as an arm or leg. No doubt this argument will continue to rage between insurers, solicitors, engineers and doctors.

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