I stopped at red traffic lights when a Peugeot 406 unexpectedly went into the back of my Ford Fiesta. It was not a hard impact. The Peugeot was doing no more than 10 miles per hour.
My Fiesta got only minor damage, just a small piece on the bumper came off. The Peugeot had small damage as well.
When I got home in the evening I started to feel pain around my shoulders and neck. The pain was continuous. I had to take paracetamal pain killers to relieve it but when I woke up in the morning I had a stiff neck.
I went to see my GP who advised me that I had suffered whiplash injuries in the car accident.
Can I make a whiplash injury claim?
Insurance companies tend to look at such claims suspiciously on the basis that the accident was at low speed. They argue that as there was no or little damage to the vehicles such claims are doggy.
Fortunately, even if the accident was at a low speed medical research has proved that an injury can be sustained. The common injury after a low speed impact will be damage to your soft tissue, often referred to as whiplash. This is caused by the head being suddenly jerked back and forth beyond its normal limits.
When you were struck by the Peugeot, your Fiesta was pushed forward. As the Fiesta accelerated forward, it pushed your body forward too, but your head remained behind for a fraction of a second, rocking up and back, until some of the muscles and ligaments were stretched or torn.
Too often the injury occurs before the head rebounds off the headrest.
New imaging devices (CAT Scans, Magnetic Imaging, and Ultra Sound) now show soft tissue injuries and insurance companies now pay compensation claims for most whiplash injuries.
So you are entitled to make a whiplash injury claim even if your injuries were caused by a low speed accident.
Do not hesitate to contact a qualified personal injury solicitor to review your case. A minor accident can actually cause major and permanent injuries.
It is advisable tο seek a personal injury solicitor who is local and who has specific experience in whiplash injury cases. Make sure tο ask yοur accident lawyer what levels of compensation he has been able tο obtain fοr similar cases.
If you have suffered injuries in an accident, don’t assume your injuries may be considered doggy. A good injury lawyer can help you claim compensation that you deserve. Contact Balinda and Co now on 0800 321 3287 to find out how we can help.