How can you prove you have whiplash after a car accident?

18 Feb How can you prove you have whiplash after a car accident?

Whiplash is a type of neck injury which is caused by a sudden jolt or movement of the head that can stretch and damage the soft issues in your neck. As symptoms can take some time to appear and usually there aren’t any physical signs of an injury, it can be difficult to prove without a proper medical examination.

However, the effects of a whiplash injury can be severe and last a lifetime, so if you’ve been involved in a car accident, it’s important to know what the symptoms of whiplash can be and when to go and see your doctor. This not only ensures you get the proper medical treatment, but can also be essential to ensure your claim is processed as quickly as possible. 

Symptoms of whiplash 

Some of the most common symptoms of whiplash are:

  • Neck pain and tenderness
  • A stiff neck and difficulty moving your head
  • Headaches
  • Muscle spasms
  • Pain the shoulders and arms
  • Pins and needles in your arms and hands
  • Dizziness

Some less common symptoms include tiredness, memory loss, poor concentration and irritability.

It is important to see a doctor if you have recently been involved in a car accident and have any of these symptoms. It is worth noting that symptoms can appear from several hours after the accident, to several days, and may get worse over time, so even if your injuries appear minor, they should always be checked by a doctor. More severe whiplash with lasting effects can even induce depression in some people, particularly if they have had to have time off work and have lost income or are in considerable pain.

Proving you have whiplash

It is important to seek medical attention as soon as you can after your accident. Not only will you receive the treatment you need for your whiplash injury, but you will also receive an official diagnosis from your doctor which will be added to your medical records and can be used as proof of your injuries for your claim. The sooner you see a doctor for treatment, the better, as this will reinforce the fact that your injuries are legitimate and needed immediate medical attention.

It can be helpful for your claim, to get proof of the cause of the injury. If the injury was caused by a road traffic accident, make sure the accident is reported to the police, you take photos of the scene (if possible) and get names and numbers of any witnesses. If the injury was the result of a slip or trip at work or in a public building, then make sure that the accident is reported and recorded in the company accident book and photos are taken of the scene if possible.

Sometimes whiplash can be more severe and take more time to recover from, sometimes even requiring rehabilitation treatment such as physiotherapy and specialist treatment. In these cases, it may be necessary to submit more than one medical report if your condition worsens or needs longer treatment. Longer term treatments may also result in other damages such as loss of income, or emotional distress, which will need to be accounted for. 

Get help with a claim for a whiplash injury

At Smooth Law, we know that being injured as a result of an accident can be distressing, so we make sure we look after you throughout your entire claims journey. We aim to help process your claim as quickly and as stress-free as possible. We have access to a national register of medical experts who are close to your home to ensure you have access to expert advice and prognosis.

Call us today on 0800 051 1782 or request a callback at the top of this page to see how we can help you.

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