Whiplash covers soft tissue injuries of the neck and back, resulting from road traffic accidents. Medical opinion suggests that whiplash injuries occur when a body is jolted or jerked violently as a result of impact, such as when cars are rear-ended by another vehicle. Often this sudden movement means the passenger is thrown forward and backwards again. This can affect the muscles and nerves in the neck, causing pain and discomfort.

It is generally accepted that whiplash injuries don’t come on straightaway, but may develop in the hours and days after an accident. You should seek medical treatment as soon as you are aware of the symptoms. If necessary, x-rays should ensure there are no fractures.

Common symptoms of whiplash include –

• Pain in the neck and upper spine
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Stiffness
• Muscle spasms
• Pain down the arms, even the fingers
• Loss of mobility or restriction in the movements of neck and spinal muscles

Whiplash often clears up within 12 months. Symptoms may settle within weeks or months of the initial impact, and diminish after that.

As in any road traffic accident, there is potential for psychological symptoms such as travel anxiety or adjustment disorders. We can help you seek expert medical opinion to verify these are related to an accident.

Any amount awarded depends on the severity of your injury and how long the symptoms affect your everyday life. Recovery is unique to each individual, therefore medical opinion must substantiate the exact nature of injuries.

As there are uninsured vehicles on our roads, it is not uncommon for drivers to leave the scene of an accident or not to be insured. If you are unlucky enough to be involved in an accident where the driver responsible has either driven off or is uninsured, this does not have to end the matter. We help with claims against the Motor Insurers’ Bureau, for either untraced or uninsured drivers.

We help you complete the relevant forms for the Motor Insurers’ Bureau and guide you through the compensation process.

If you or a loved one suffers a catastrophic injury, such as loss of limb or brain injury, it changes the life not only of the victim, but also their family, forever.

Catastrophic injury claims are extremely complicated and difficult to co-ordinate. It is crucial that you seek advice from solicitors with experience dealing with serious or catastrophic injury cases.

Of course, compensation will never be enough, but our team is here to advise you on issues like –

• Future employment prospects
• Educational needs
• Rehabilitation
• Long-term planning
• Benefits
• Welfare
• House adaptation and care

If you need advice on these issues, please contact us.

The unexpected death of a loved one following an accident has wide-ranging consequences, not only the emotional impact for family members, but also potential financially. Our expert team can help you through every step of the legal process and ensure that any issues are dealt with professionally and efficiently and, most importantly, with our assistance we ensure all issues are dealt with without any further burden or stress to family members at such a difficult time.

• Pain and suffering
• Loss of earnings
• Medical and other expenses
• Repair costs
• Hire costs

You should inform the police that you are happy to make a statement, but you would like to consult with your solicitor before doing so. Then call Reid Black Solicitors.

In certain circumstances relatives of a deceased can make a claim for compensation against the person who caused the accident. Reid Black Solicitors can advise.

If the accident was partly your fault, you can still make a claim for compensation to the extent that the accident was the fault of the other party.

Where the accident is caused by another party but there is no collision, for example, when you have to take evasive action when someone pulls out of a junction, then you can make a claim for compensation.

The law recognises that there will be occasions when people are injured, and the offending vehicle drives off. In such circumstances you can make a claim against a body called the Motor Insurers’ Bureau. Reid Black can advise.

Generally, you have three years from the date of accident within which to make a claim for compensation, though it is always better to consult with a solicitor sooner rather than later. The rules are different for children and persons under a disability. Reid Black can advise on these issues.

If you are not at fault for the accident the costs of your case will be paid by the other parties insurers and you will not have any bills to pay. You can talk to us about this at no cost to you.