In large cities, where rush hour normally incites road rage and careless driving manoeuvres, the number of whiplash injury compensation claims rises in correlation to the number of vehicles on the road. Findings like this should serve to deter drivers from acting carelessly when driving in a highly congested area. It may come as a surprise to many that more whiplash injury compensation claims are made in central city areas, where the average driving speed is 15mph at busy times, than on fast moving, low-congestion motorways, where the average speed per day is approximately 65mph. Findings like this suggest that when drivers are travelling at relatively low speeds in built up areas, they often feel less of a need to concentrate fully. When travelling at faster speeds, these drivers will invariably pay more attention to their driving – placing a greater importance on concentration.

Due to these contrasts, the number of whiplash injury compensation claims made in cities is significantly greater than those made in other areas. ‘Low impact’ collisions that take place in cities are a common cause of whiplash, whilst more serious, life-threatening injuries more commonly occur on roads where higher driving speeds are the norm. There are a number of things people can do to avoid being involved in a low impact collision, however, sometimes the situation is unavoidable and an individual may find themselves suffering from a whiplash injury when the accident has not been their own fault at all. If this does happen, it is essential that people know how to act correctly in order to be sure that they will receive the full amount of a whiplash injury compensation claim, should they wish to make one.

There are four main steps to follow when a low impact collision occurs. As a victim, it may be difficult to follow these steps precisely, especially with an injury, however, acting in the right way will ensure that a whiplash compensation claim will be a lot faster and easier to obtain. Below is a list of how to act if you find yourself in an accident that is not your fault and have suffered a whiplash injury:

1)      Make sure that the offending driver gives you their full contact details at the time. This should not be too difficult, as most offending drivers will stop to check that the person in the vehicle they have collided into is okay. It is, of course, of utmost importance to obtain the correct medical treatment for any whiplash injury sustained, however, if you can ask a fellow passenger or anybody else to take down the offending driver’s name, this will definitely speed up the whiplash injury compensation claim process.

2)      Do not accept any money or ‘informal deal’ from the driver. The person who has collided with you may well try to offer up some out of court financial compensation or try to do a deal with you. This may be done with the best of intentions, as the driver may feel guilt and want to help as much as they can. However, if you do want to make a formal whiplash injury compensation claim, then it is best not to accept any money from the offending driver at this point. This could potentially weaken your case at a later date.

3)      Find out the expected prognosis of your whiplash injury. People who have suffered a whiplash injury will invariably be taken to hospital (or be advised to go), as caution is always exercised when neck or back injuries are concerned. When the doctor at the hospital has examined you, ask how long they think the whiplash will take to heal and how it will affect your working/home life. The negative effect a whiplash injury has on a person’s life will be taken into account when a whiplash injury claim is made.

4)      Recall the details of the accident. It is best to carefully go through in your head how exactly you remember the accident happened. Write the details down if it helps. This way, when you come to speak to a solicitor, you will feel clear about how the accident happened and the solicitor will be able to advise more efficiently and accordingly.

Of course, every accident is different and these pointers are more appropriately used in cities, where low impact collisions take place, than on motorways, where a life-threatening injury is more likely. However, if you are in a low impact accident, these pointers will help you on your way to making a successful compensation claim.