Whiplash Is Never Just A Small Neck Injury

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There is often a major misconception that whiplash is ‘only a neck injury’. That is the phrase used by countless numbers of people involved in a car accident or any kind of injury sustained from another field, and the reluctance to file a whiplash claim has often led to a lack of redress for the accident suffered.

The whip effect to the spine can injure structures even in the low back. Sometimes these symptoms do not show up until days later. They are often delayed because adrenalin and mental stress caused by the accident begin to settle in. The important thing to always note is that whiplash is not a "car accident injury" exclusively. The injury can result from falls and sports injuries as well, for example.

Research has often shown that certain categories of victims are always more susceptible to a whiplash injury, and if that includes you or someone you know, you should seek legal help immediately. For example, research from Thatcham has shown in the past that females are about 2 times more at risk of whiplash neck injury in all types of collisions and are more likely to develop long term symptoms. Fifty five percent of females with whiplash injuries develop long term symptoms compared with about 40% of males.

Also, drivers have a higher risk of whiplash neck injury than passengers possibly because they are more inclined to move forward and away from the seat as they reach for the steering wheel and monitor traffic, while passengers are more relaxed and lean further back in their seats, putting the head closer to the restraint. Persons in the rear seats are less likely to sustain neck injuries.

A lot of people are unsure or wary about the next step after an accident. If the accident was not your fault, you can and should make a claim for personal injury compensation. You are entitled to free "No Win No Fee" representation by a personal injury solicitor. All your legal costs will be covered. Few cases ever reach court, so there is a good chance that a swift and acceptable resolution can be arranged.

Bear in mind that settling a whiplash claim such as this takes time and that it may take longer than anticipated. Nevertheless, if you are entitled to compensation you should fight for it. Many lawyers will work for free and take a percentage of the settlement as their fee so you need not be anxious about how you are going to pay for a lawyer. When you are injured and under intense stress going through a settlement is not easy, but with the assistance of a lawyer you will be able to get the money you deserve for your injuries.