

Whiplash injury is the name given to stretching or tearing of muscles and ligaments in the neck. It can cause stiffness in the neck and pain in the back of the head. These symptoms typically develop over the first couple of days, and last from several days to a few weeks. Whiplash injury can aggravate existing conditions affecting joints and inflammation.
A doctor should always be consulted immediately if the pain spreads or increases in severity, or you feel pins and needles or heaviness in the arms and shoulders.
Whiplash is caused by sudden movement of the body in relation to the head, such as a harsh jerk causing the body to move forward and the head to be thrown back and then forwards. The most common cause of whiplash injury is car crashes, where rapid deceleration occurs.
If you suffer injury as a result of an accident which is not your fault, you may be able to claim. Whiplash injuries range in severity from minor discomfort for a few days to permanent pain and restricted movement.
Sums awarded typically range from £500 to £13,000. Amounts are determined by legal decision on a case by case basis. In England and Wales, Judges have issued broad guideline figures for different types and degree of injury, laid down in the Judicial Studies Board Guidelines. These are the figures used here.