Why whiplash and neck injuries must be taken seriously

Whiplash is a word many people shy away from. Despite being one of the most common results of road traffic accidents, it remains one of the most misunderstood injuries in the world of personal injury law.

Some insurers would love for you to think a whiplash injury is no big deal. Their goal is often to make you afraid of mentioning it to your family, friends, or even your GP. 

At Digby Brown, we believe parts of the car insurance industry try to make people believe whiplash is the “injury of con artists.” There is an unfair stigma attached to this type of injury.

But anyone who has suffered whiplash knows it is real, painful, and can have lasting effects.

What is whiplash?

Whiplash is a serious neck injury that occurs when the head is quickly and suddenly jolted back and forth, resembling the cracking of a whip. While most are associated with rear-end car collisions, the impact on the body is significant.

A whiplash injury affects the muscles, ligaments, and nerves in the neck with sufferers experiencing:

• Headaches
• Limited mobility
• Shoulder or back pain
• Difficulty completing everyday tasks

How are whiplash injuries graded?

Whiplash injuries are often graded by medical professionals to indicate the level of hurt and contribute to a treatment plan going forwards:

• Grade 1 (Mild): Mild pain, headaches, and tenderness in the neck and shoulders.
• Grade 2 (Moderate): Moderate pain, headaches, and muscle spasms. Tissue damage is likely, with recovery expected in a few weeks to a couple of months.
• Grade 3 (Severe): Similar physical symptoms to Grade 2, with added neurological issues such as numbness or tingling in the arms or hands.

Most whiplash sufferers recover within a few months but the grading system highlights the injury’s potential seriousness.

However in some cases, whiplash can have serious complications. 

Consider the case of a mother in Dundee involved in a rear-end collision on the A90 Kingsway. Initially, she believed she had suffered only "standard" whiplash. However, eight days later, she experienced a stroke, confirmed by an MRI at the hospital. The stroke affected her speech, mobility, and vision in her left eye – much more than she was initially suffering. 

At the start of her claim, the at-fault driver’s insurance company offered just £10,000. By gathering expert medical evidence linking the stroke directly to the collision, the legal team at Digby Brown secured a £250,000 settlement. This enhanced settlement helped cover the cost of:

• Lost earnings due to reduced working hours
• Home adaptations including a walk-in bath
• Counselling to help adjust to a new way of life
• Mobility aids to support with independent living

Knowing the reality of whiplash injuries allows you to make informed decisions for yourself and your loved ones. These are not minor inconveniences. They are medical conditions that require proper care and documentation.

From recovery to the relevant medical notes, we work with leading medical experts to document your injuries thoroughly. Our goal is to ensure your claim reflects the true impact the accident has had on your life, securing the compensation you need to move forward.