Whiplash Compensation Claim
Whiplash is a very common injury in car crashes and other types of road traffic accidents (RTAs). As experts in whiplash compensation claims, the team at Tylers Solicitors is well-versed in helping claimants get the whiplash compensation they deserve.

While whiplash can vary in severity, it can be a painful and uncomfortable injury — so we’re here to help you through this challenging time. If you’ve been unlucky enough to suffer from a whiplash injury after an accident that wasn’t your fault, we can offer no-win, no-fee legal services and guide you through the whiplash compensation claim process.
From the evidence you’ll need to process a claim to possible compensation amounts, read on for more information about whiplash compensation claims. If you feel you have a valid claim, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team of personal injury solicitors.
Start your claim online or call us on 0800 699 0079 today.
What is Whiplash?
Whiplash injuries are typically sustained when the impact of a collision results in your head moving backwards and forwards quickly. The sudden motion (even in a low-impact collision) can cause your neck muscles to tighten in order to protect you, and this leads to strain. It can cause soft tissue injuries and damage to your muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
Although road traffic accidents tend to be the main cause of whiplash, the injury isn’t limited to RTAs. You can also experience whiplash as a result of a fall or sporting accident.
Whatever the cause, if you’ve suffered a whiplash injury through an accident that wasn’t your fault, you could be entitled to compensation.
Signs and Symptoms of Whiplash
Because whiplash injuries can be minor, moderate, or severe, it’s helpful to recognise the signs and symptoms. It can also develop in the hours or days after an accident, so knowing what to look for can help you seek medical attention as early as possible.
Following a collision or sudden impact, you may experience:
- Neck pains & stiffness
- Dizziness
- Back and shoulder Pain or
- Stiffness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Opera (Lower Back Pain)
- Discomfort in the legs and arms
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Concentration & memory lapses
- Migraines
- Blurred Vision
- Tinnitus
- Depression
- Mood Swings
Whiplash claim calculator
How common is whiplash?
As whiplash can vary so much in its effects, it’s not surprising that it’s a common injury. In 2020, statistics showed that 550,000 out of 650,000 personal injury claims relating to road traffic accidents were for whiplash.
This high figure of 85% led to some changes in compensation amounts for whiplash, and the government introduced a set tariff to lower the amount of unwarranted claims being made. (See our ‘How much compensation can you claim for whiplash?’ section below for more information)
However, whiplash is still a common injury, and if you have a valid claim, we can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Can you claim compensation for whiplash?
As with any personal injury, you may be able to claim compensation for whiplash, but you need to meet specific criteria. When you speak with the team at Tylers Solicitors, we can help you work out if you have a valid claim and the amount you may be entitled to.
However, we recommend looking at this checklist to give you an idea of your eligibility:
- You must be over 18 (although, if you are under 18, a parent or guardian may be able to claim on your behalf).
- You must have proof that you were in an accident that directly caused the whiplash.
- You need to have medical evidence of your whiplash injury.
- You need to start your whiplash compensation claim within three years of the injury date (there are exceptions, such as if you were under 18 at the time of the accident).
- You must be able to show that the accident was not your fault or that you have shared liability with another party.
How much compensation can you claim for whiplash?
In May 2021, a revised whiplash tariff system was put in place to ensure that any successful compensation claims are valid and that people are not taking advantage of personal injuries.
This tariff outlines the set amounts of compensation you can receive for whiplash injuries, depending on how long the symptoms affect you.
Duration of whiplash injuries | Potential compensation amount |
Up to 3 months | £240 – £260 |
Over 3 months but less than 6 months | £495 – £520 |
Over 6 months but less than 9 months | £840 – £895 |
Over 9 months but less than 12 months | £1,320 – £1,390 |
Over 12 months but less than 15 months | £2,040 – £2,125 |
Over 15 months but less than 18 months | £3,005 – £3,100 |
Over 18 months but less than 24 months | £4,215 – £4,345 |
What are the different whiplash grades?
When it comes to compensation claims, whiplash is unique in its categorisation. It’s split into five different ‘grades’, which relate to how severe and long-lasting your injuries are.
Grade 1 whiplash
Grade 1 whiplash claims are the least serious. The whiplash symptoms are mild, often including neck pain, and they usually clear up in a few days or weeks. With this in mind, you may not always be eligible for compensation.
Learn more about Grade 1 whiplash compensation.
Grade 2 whiplash
If you suffer from Grade 2 whiplash, the symptoms are usually a little more severe than Grade 1. You might experience moderate neck pain and stiffness, among other mild to moderate symptoms, but the injuries should usually clear up in a few weeks or months.
Find out more about compensation claims for Grade 2 whiplash.
Grade 3 whiplash
The symptoms for Grade 3 whiplash are more severe and long-lasting than Grades 1 and 2. This type of whiplash can cause severe neck pain and stiffness that might limit your mobility. You may also experience dizziness and headaches, and your whiplash symptoms might last for several months.
Learn more about Grade 3 whiplash and potential claim amounts.
Grade 4 whiplash
If you experience Grade 4 whiplash, it can lead to severe neck, shoulder, and back pain, as well as stiffness, limited mobility, and tingling in your arms. This level of whiplash could have a long-lasting impact, affecting your daily activities for up to a year or more.
Find out more about the effects of Grade 4 whiplash.
Grade 5 whiplash
Grade 5 whiplash is the most severe of all the grades, and it tends to have the most enduring symptoms. You may experience very severe neck pain, loss of mobility, and long-term issues lasting up to two years.
In some cases, whiplash this severe lasts longer than 24 months, and compensation claims will be handled outside of the reformed whiplash tariff.
How to make a whiplash claim
If you have suffered whiplash in an accident that wasn’t your fault and would like to make a claim, the first thing to do is contact a personal injury solicitor.
When you call the team at Tylers Solicitors, you can feel confident knowing that we’re here to support you through the claims process and guide you every step of the way.
We’ll discuss the circumstances of your injury and make an informed decision on whether you can claim whiplash compensation.
Once we have determined the viability of your claim, our expert team will start the claims process. This will involve collecting evidence and negotiating with third parties such as solicitors and insurance companies.
At Tylers, we work on a no-win, no-fee basis — so you’ll only pay our fee if your claim is successful. This means you can start your claim without worrying about the cost. We’ll handle everything for you, from start to finish, and work hard to get you the full amount of whiplash compensation you deserve.
What evidence do you need to make a whiplash compensation claim?
So, how do you prove a whiplash injury? We talked briefly about the criteria you need to meet to claim whiplash compensation, but let’s look in more depth at the types of evidence you’ll need.
To give your claim the best chance of succeeding, we recommend providing your solicitor with:
- The date and time of the accident and its exact location.
- A full account of the incident covering how it happened and why you believe the other party was at fault.
- Contact details of insurance companies for all parties involved in the incident.
- Any police reports that document the incident.
- Photos or videos from the scene, which could include photos you have taken or footage or images from any CCTV covering the area.
- The contact details of any witnesses.
- Medical reports outlining any treatment you received, whether at the scene or when visiting the hospital or your GP.
It is important to supply as much medical evidence as possible about your injury, including how long you’ve been experiencing symptoms. This will form the basis of the amount of compensation you receive.
If you are unsure what evidence you need or how to gather it, please call us on 0800 699 0079, and our friendly team will be happy to advise.
Can a whiplash compensation claim be refused?
It is possible to have your whiplash claim refused. Usually, this is due to a lack of evidence proving your injuries or that you were not at fault for the accident.
Since 2021, there have been new guidelines in place when it comes to compensation for whiplash. In part, this was to crack down on the amount of false whiplash compensation claims being made.
We will always be open and honest with you when discussing your whiplash injuries from the outset and will only encourage you to proceed with the process if we believe you have a valid claim.
We support our clients fully to ensure any eligible claims are as successful as possible. Our no-win, no-fee policy highlights that we will only process your claim if we are confident we can get you the compensation you deserve.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.
It’s worth noting that, following a road traffic accident, you may experience whiplash alongside other injuries. In this situation, you may be able to claim for your other injuries, too.
We can help you work out exactly what you are eligible for, so please contact the team at Tylers Solicitors for expert support.
Fill out our online form or call 0800 699 0079.
Table of Contents
Whiplash Compensation Claim FAQs
Is Whiplash Dangerous?
Whiplash is often considered a mild injury due to the vast amount of false (fraud) claims. However, whiplash can be a serious injury if not treated properly.
Sometimes, it can lead to blackouts, which can be very dangerous if they occur while driving or on the stairs. If you start to feel any pain in your shoulders, neck, or back after being in an accident, it’s essential to seek medical advice immediately.
Can you Recover from a Whiplash Strain?
Yes, you can often recover from whiplash — how long it takes depends on the severity of the strain. Many symptoms can begin to ease after just a few days, and many people make a full recovery within a few weeks, but with some people, the symptoms can persist.
To protect yourself from further neck strain injury, it may help to wear a neck brace so your injury can heal properly.
What other types of accidents can lead to whiplash injuries?
Car crashes are the most common cause of whiplash, but other incidents can cause it, too. Here are a few frequent causes:
- Go-karting or motorsports racing
- Falling off a horse
- Being hit by a vehicle while walking or cycling
- Boxing
- Falling over
- Exercising in a gym or doing gymnastics
- As a result of domestic violence
How is whiplash diagnosed?
Whiplash does not show on an X-ray, MRI or CT scan and is usually diagnosed by your doctor based on the background of the injury and the symptoms you’re experiencing.
Is there a minimum speed for whiplash in an RTA?
No, the speed of a vehicle isn’t usually a factor in causing whiplash. Sudden neck motion can happen at any speed, and whiplash can occur in low-impact accidents as well as those involving high speeds.
Related Claims
Tylers Solicitors are here to help you with your bicycle accident claims. If you have been injured in a cycling accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to cycling injury compensation
If you have suffered from any sort of head injury as the result of an accident that wasn’t your fault, you will be entitled to claim compensation. Get in touch with Tylers Solicitors to find out more.
It has been reported by several different medical journals that as many as 70% to 80% of all adults will experience a form of back injury in their lifetime.
NO WIN - NO FEE
For any Car Accident Claims, call Tylers Solicitors today, a leading UK provider of no-win, no-fee legal services. Our experienced team will work with you to get the maximum amount of compensation you’re entitled to, following any kind of injury that isn’t your fault!