Whiplash is a soft tissue injury occurring due to a sudden jolt or neck stretching, leading to ligament damage. It’s a frequent injury among drivers or passengers involved in rear-end collisions. These injuries do not require significant force. Very often, whiplash injuries happen as a result of low-speed collisions, ranging between 5 to 10 mph. 

Whiplash is not a common medical condition. It occurs rarely and is often linked with exaggerated injuries instead of personal injuries. 

Common symptoms of Whiplash injury

Here are some common symptoms of whiplash injury:

• Neck pain 
• Neck stiffness
• Shoulder pain 
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Disturbed sleep 
• Nervousness
• Fatigue 

How to make a Whiplash claim 

You can claim compensation for a Whiplash injury if you’re involved in an accident caused by another driver’s negligence. If you want to maximize the chances of making a successful Whiplash injury claim in Scotland, you must seek assistance from a Personal injury claim solicitor. 

Here are the steps you must follow to make a successful Whiplash injury claim after an accident. 

1. Get immediate medical attention 

You must seek instant medical care, even if you don’t experience Whiplash. Sometimes, it may take several hours or days to get whiplash symptoms. So, even if you feel minor discomfort, you must seek medical assistance as it will speed up your recovery process and ensure quick treatment. 

2. Stick to your medical treatment plan

Always stick to the medical treatment plan prescribed by your doctor to ensure quick recovery. Moreover, it will also prove to the insurance companies and whiplash injury solicitors that you’re severely injured. Quitting your medical treatment plan minimizes the chances of securing compensation and makes the process lengthy, thus affecting your compensation amount. 

3. Quick documentation

You must collect evidence from the accident scene. Take photographs of the accident scene, gather information from witnesses and exchange details with other parties to get all the necessary information for your claim. Also, collect supporting evidence, including:

• Medical records: These medical records will show the severity of your injuries. 
• Test results: These comprise medical imaging and diagnostic test results showcasing the speed of your recovery. 
• List of expenses: These include bill payments, medical treatment costs and other supporting documents about your work absence. Having complete documentation improves the chances of your whiplash injury claim being successful. 

4. Get legal assistance 

A skilled and experienced whiplash injury claim solicitor will help you build a strong case and perform negotiations with insurers to help you secure maximum compensation. The solicitor will also guide you through the process of filing a personal injury lawsuit to help you recover damages if the insurance company offers an unfair settlement. 

5. File your claim 

Report the accident and your intention to make a whiplash injury claim to your insurance provider as well as the insurance provider of the faulty driver immediately after you’ve sustained an injury. This will ensure that you don’t miss the deadline for making an insurance claim. 

 While making a whiplash injury claim, remember the following:

• Speak the facts: Don’t make opinions. State only relevant facts to the insurer while making a claim. Provide accurate details of the date, time and location of the accident. You can also notify the insurance company that you’re getting medical treatment for your injuries. However, you must not provide any information about the severity of your injuries as it could harm your chances of securing deserving compensation. 
• Don’t acknowledge your fault: When filing your whiplash injury claim, don’t admit your fault. Although it may not stop you from getting compensation, the insurance company may use it against you. 
• Don’t agree to take an independent medical test: The insurance company may ask you to take an independent medical test from their physician, but you must not agree to do so. The medical professional may be employed by the insurance company and he may prioritize their interest.

Making Whiplash injury claims in Scotland often poses challenges in proving the intensity of your injuries. Therefore, you must hire a Whiplash injury claim solicitor in Scotland specializing in handling such cases. This will maximize your chances of success and ensure you receive the best compensation for your losses. If you want to make a personal injury claim in Scotland, contact solicitors at Call Nessie. They are one of the best Whiplash injury claim solicitors in Scotland, who can help you get deserving compensation for the damages.