The UK is the whiplash capital of Europe, according to research by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) which blamed badly-fitted head restraints and increased tailgating as the main reasons for a 25 percent rise whiplash injuries over the past five years. Every year the UK motor insurance industry pays out £2 billion in compensation to road traffic accident victims.
The ABI said more than 430,000 people claimed compensation for whiplash last year. The NHS also revealed that treating whiplash type injuries costs around £8 million a year and that 75 percent of motor personal injury claims are for whiplash. This is well above the European average of 40% of all motor accident compensation claims being for whiplash type injuries.
Speaking at the release of the new figures, the ABI director general said: “Whiplash imposes unacceptable costs to individuals, businesses and the state. Insurers want to reduce whiplash, provide fast care and compensation and tackle fraudulent claims. “But we cannot do this alone. We call on the Government, road safety groups, the medical and legal professions and other stakeholders to work with us on a campaign to reduce this problem.”
Whiplash injuries are caused by the movement of a person in a road traffic accident, restrained by a seatbelt, and being thrown rapidly forward and backwards (like the cracking of a whip). Many factors can affect the likelihood of suffering a whiplash injury, or the seriousness of any injury that is suffered, such as the weight and position of the person in the car, the position of the head restraints and the force and direction of the impact. An impact to the rear of a vehicle is more likely to result in the occupants suffering whiplash injuries than an impact from the front or from the side.
Every year Camps Solicitors help thousands of whiplash sufferers to claim compensation from the drivers responsible for their injuries.
Call 0800 092 8586
Speak to one of our claims advisors about your claim.
