Whiplash Claims
Check If You Can Claim Compensation
If you suffered whiplash in a road accident that was not your fault, you may be able to make a whiplash claim. Our solicitors explain how whiplash claims work, your compensation options, and the next steps to take.
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Can you claim for whiplash?
If you’ve suffered whiplash in a road accident that wasn’t entirely your fault, you may be able to make a whiplash claim. Whether you were a driver, passenger, cyclist or pedestrian, you could claim compensation for your injuries as well as financial losses such as lost earnings, rehabilitation costs and travel expenses. Most whiplash claims are handled on a No Win No Fee basis.
Why whiplash injuries often lead to claims
Whiplash is a neck injury caused by a sudden, forceful movement of the head, most often in a rear-end car collision. The neck is thrown back and forward quickly, straining the muscles, tendons and ligaments. Symptoms sometimes appear a day or two later rather than straight away.
Because whiplash is so often caused by another driver’s error, many people who develop it after an accident that was not their fault are able to claim. Where a driver failed in their duty to others on the road, the person injured may be entitled to compensation.
road traffic injury claims have been started through the government’s Official Injury Claim service since 2021, the large majority involving a whiplash-type injury. Where the accident was someone else’s fault, compensation may be available.
Common causes of whiplash claims
You may be eligible to claim if your whiplash was caused by another road user’s negligence.
Rear-end collisions
The most common cause of whiplash, where another vehicle drives into the back of yours, often at a junction or in slow traffic.
Junction and roundabout crashes
Where another driver fails to give way, pulls out without looking, or misjudges a turn and causes a collision.
Passenger, cyclist and pedestrian accidents
Passengers can usually claim whichever driver was at fault, and cyclists or pedestrians struck by a vehicle may also have a claim.
Whiplash can also result from accidents outside the road, such as some workplace or sporting incidents. If your injury happened another way, speak to our team and we will tell you whether you can claim.
How much compensation could you claim?
The amount depends on how long your symptoms last and how much they affect your daily life. For most road traffic whiplash injuries lasting up to two years, compensation is set by a fixed government tariff under the Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021, as amended in 2025.
On top of the injury itself, you may also be able to recover financial losses such as lost earnings, treatment and physiotherapy costs, and travel expenses. Your solicitor will explain what you may be entitled to once a medical report sets out how the injury has affected you.
The amount set by the tariff for road traffic whiplash lasting up to two years, depending on how long symptoms last and whether there is also a minor psychological injury. This is what the law sets for the injury itself, not a guide to what any individual claim will settle for.
Evidence that supports your whiplash claim
Clear evidence helps show how the accident happened and how the injury has affected you. You do not need to gather everything before you get in touch.
We can help.
Symptoms appeared later? Whiplash pain can take a day or two to show. It usually helps to get checked and keep a record, because compensation is linked to how long your symptoms last.
How no win no fee claims work
You can start a whiplash claim without paying anything upfront. If your claim is unsuccessful, you will not pay a fee for our work, subject to the terms of your agreement.
If your claim succeeds, an agreed success fee is deducted from your compensation. Your solicitor will explain this clearly before you commit to anything.
You will see the full terms in writing before your claim begins.
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know before starting your claim.
How much is a whiplash claim worth?
It depends on how long your symptoms last. For road traffic whiplash lasting up to two years, compensation is set by a fixed government tariff, from £275 for injuries lasting up to three months to £4,830 for injuries lasting 18 to 24 months, or up to £4,975 where there is also a minor psychological injury. These figures apply to accidents on or after 31 May 2025. More serious or longer-lasting injuries are valued individually, and financial losses can be claimed on top.
How long does a whiplash claim take?
Timelines depend on how long your symptoms last and whether the other side accepts responsibility. Some straightforward claims settle in a few months, while others take longer, particularly if you are still recovering. Your solicitor will keep you updated throughout.
Can I use the Official Injury Claim portal myself?
Many lower-value road traffic injury claims, generally where the injury is worth up to £5,000, are handled through the Official Injury Claim (OIC) portal, and you can use it without a solicitor. The rules and valuations can still be difficult to navigate on your own, and legal support can help you understand whether an offer is fair before you accept it.
How long do whiplash symptoms last?
Whiplash symptoms often ease within a few weeks, but they can last for months, and in some cases longer. Because compensation is linked to how long symptoms last, it usually helps to have a medical assessment rather than settling too early.
Can I claim for anxiety as well as whiplash?
Sometimes. If you developed anxiety, travel anxiety or another psychological effect after the accident, this may be taken into account alongside the physical injury. Our team can explain how this is handled.
Is there a time limit for making a whiplash claim?
In most cases you have three years from the date of the accident to start a claim. Different rules apply for children and for people who lack the capacity to claim. If you are unsure, contact us and we will check whether you are still in time.
Check if you can make a whiplash claim
Tell us what happened and we will review your details and get back to you. We will explain your options, with no obligation to go ahead.
- Free, no-obligation review
- No Win No Fee available
- SRA-regulated solicitors
Check if you can make a claim
Takes less than 60 seconds
Other road traffic claims we handle
Don't let time run out on your claim
Most whiplash claims must be started within three years. The sooner you begin, the easier the evidence is to gather while it is still available.
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