Contacting a Whiplash Injury Solicitor
Contacting a whiplash injury solicitor can make a big difference if you are considering making a claim for personal injury compensation after a road traffic accident. Personal injury claims which are pursued by an experienced whiplash injury solicitor not only have a greater chance of success, but the compensation awarded tends to be higher with professional legal representation.
The Association of British Insurers (AIB) calculated in 2007 that there were over 1,200 whiplash injury claims filed every day in the UK, and that these claims had a combined claims value of over £2 billion; which is £66 per motor insurance policy sold. Whiplash injuries actually account for three-quarters of personal injury claims resulting from road traffic accidents, so you are certainly not alone in considering claiming compensation for your injuries.
As such, you should not feel nervous about contacting a whiplash injury solicitor. Although making a claim for compensation may be an alien concept to you, it is only right that you should receive some recompense for an injury which has been sustained and which was not your fault. Although whiplash is a soft tissue injury it can be highly serious, and just because there are no broken bones, it does not mean that you should not be compensated for your injuries. Whiplash can seriously affect the quality of life for the duration that symptoms persist, and the restricted movement can make even completing the simplest tasks a painful ordeal.
Why You Should Contact a Whiplash Injury Solicitor
Whiplash injuries may only appear to minor at first, especially with the adrenaline pumping after a car crash. It can be easy to pass off whiplash as just bruising, only to experience severe pain a few days later. What may start with a few aches and pains and some difficult sleeping, can persist for many weeks, months and even years. Mild pain experienced over a long timeframe is just as worthy of compensation as an injury such as broken leg. In many respects, whiplash injuries are more debilitating than broken bones exactly because of this. Whiplash can also cause long term health problems, and can incur considerable costs to the victim. These costs should not be borne by one who has suffered the injury through no fault of their own.
Contacting a whiplash injury solicitor promptly after an accident is highly recommended, as it is important to commence a claim while the accident is still fresh in the mind and witnesses can still recall the details of the accent.
Why People are Reluctant about Contacting a Whiplash Injury Solicitor
Many people are put off contacting a whiplash injury solicitor due to the stigma associated with making a compensation claim for this type of injury. Whiplash injury claims have unfortunately received bad press in recent years due to a high number of false claims which have been filed. While this may make people more reluctant to make a claim, it is for this very reason that contacting a whiplash injury solicitor is important. Your compensation claim will be treated more seriously, and be given the attention that it deserves.
If you have any apprehensions about contacting a whiplash injury solicitor or claiming compensation for your injuries, you should bear in mind that the majority of accidents which cause whiplash injuries are caused by third party negligence. Since whiplash injuries are most frequently caused by a rear end smash, and that such accidents are rarely the fault of the victim, the chance of making a successful claim is high. Contacting a whiplash injury solicitor is just as important when another driver is clearly at fault, as such claims do not necessarily run smoothly. Even if liability is accepted, negotiating an appropriate settlement with a third party insurer can be difficult.
Fears about Contacting a Whiplash Injury Solicitor
Personal injury solicitors understand the pain and suffering that such injuries can cause, and will be sympathetic to your situation. Many people do not consider contacting a whiplash injury solicitor for fear of ridicule, or the belief that they will be told that their injuries are not severe enough to claim compensation - which is what many whiplash sufferers often believe.
Whiplash injury solicitors are well aware of the bad press surrounding such personal injury claims, but will be able to give you invaluable advice. If a solicitor does not feel that a claim is worth your while pursuing, they will advise you accordingly, but it pays to receive that advice before making a decision whether or not to claim compensation.
Contacting a whiplash injury solicitor for advice does not mean that you have to proceed with a claim if it is something that you do not feel comfortable with, but it is important to know exactly where you stand legally, how much compensation you are likely to receive and the next steps that you need to take if you decide to proceed with making a claim. Only after contacting a whiplash injury solicitor will you be in a position to make an informed decision about recovering compensation for your injuries.