• Legal experts specialising in road traffic accident claims
• Strong record of securing payouts in similar cases since 1993
• Hassle-free claims process
• 100% independent advice — no referrals from insurers
• Free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case
  

Whiplash is the soft tissue damage caused to the neck and back by the violent motion the body is subjected to during a car accident. A sudden collision or unexpected movement causes ligaments and muscles to overextend, then thrash back in the opposite direction. Just like cracking a whip.

Although whiplash injuries are usually sustained in car crashes, they can also be caused by a trip, fall or sudden blow to the head.

Whiplash injuries usually develop in the hours and days after an accident. The symptoms typically clear up within 12 months of sustaining whiplash. The length of recovery and seriousness of the symptoms will depend on the severity of the whiplash. Some common whiplash symptoms include:

Main Whiplash Symptoms

• Headache
• Neck pain and stiffness
• Difficulty moving your head
• Back pain and stiffness
• Shoulder pain and stiffness
• Tingling or numbness in your arms
• Dizziness
• Tiredness

Severe Whiplash Symptoms

• Blurred vision
• Sleep problems
• Forgetfulness and memory problems
• Depression or low mood
• Mood swings
• Tinnitus

Anyone who has suffered whiplash through no fault of their own is entitled to make a whiplash injury claim. This includes drivers who sustain whiplash in a road traffic accident that wasn’t their fault, as well as passengers in vehicles involved in road traffic accidents.

It also includes anyone who has whiplash as the result of a slip, trip, fall, sports injury or any other type of accident that was not their fault or was caused by someone else’s negligence.

We’ve created our whiplash claim process to make it as easy as possible for you to get the compensation you deserve. Our experienced personal injury solicitors will support you at every step. Let us handle everything while you focus on getting better and getting on with your life. Here’s what you can expect:

Step 1: Contact Reid Black
Pick up the phone or send us an email so we can arrange a free consultation and give our initial legal advice on your case. No fee and no obligation to proceed with us.

Step 2: Gathering Evidence
We will collect all the evidence we need to support your claim. This might include witness accounts, dashcam footage and medical assessments.

Step 3: Assessing The Evidence
Our experienced solicitors will study all the evidence relating to your whiplash claim and build a picture of a suitable level of compensation for your injuries. This will be informed by our extensive record of pursuing similar claims, as well as legal guidelines covering the nature of various whiplash injuries.

Step 4: Compensation Negotiations
We will negotiate directly with the insurer to secure the maximum payout for the injuries you’ve suffered. With our solicitors handling everything, it’s a stress-free process for you.

Step 5: Compensation Payout
Our work doesn’t stop until the compensation is safely in your bank account. We will work to make sure the insurer pays out promptly.

It’s important to have as much evidence as possible to support your whiplash claim. This evidence needs to show who was responsible for the accident and the extent of your injuries.

You can share with us any evidence you’ve already gathered, such as photos or videos, police reports, and contact details of the other parties. You should also visit A&E or your GP as soon as possible after experiencing whiplash symptoms. Your medical notes will be used as evidence. We will also arrange an assessment by an independent medical professional if more medical evidence is needed, such as to prove a new, recurring or long-term symptom.

Whether you’ve already got evidence from the scene of the accident or we need to gather more evidence for you, it’s important to start this process as soon as possible to build the strongest case for your claim.

Your whiplash claim compensation will usually fall into two different types of damages:

General Damages
This is compensation for the pain and suffering you’ve experienced because of whiplash. The amount you receive will depend on the seriousness of the injuries and the impact on your quality of life.

Special Damages
This is compensation for out-of-pocket expenses you’ve incurred because of your whiplash injury. This could include things like medical and rehabilitation fees, travel expenses and loss of earnings.

Compensation payouts for whiplash claims in Northern Ireland are guided by something called The Green Book. The Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases in Northern Ireland — to give The Green Book its full name — provides guideline compensation amounts for different types of whiplash.

Although the figures given are only a guide and can be impacted by the circumstances of your claim, they are a useful indication of the approximate level of compensation you could receive. For example:

Minor Whiplash Injuries
If your whiplash injury is considered minor and the symptoms clear up within a couple of years, your compensation payout is likely to be up to £12,500.

Moderate Whiplash Injuries
If your whiplash injury results in a longer period of recovery with an increased likelihood of more trauma, the payout will be in the £12,500 to £30,000 range.

Severe Whiplash Injuries
If your whiplash injury has seriously limited your movement, results in permanent or recurring pain, stiffness or discomfort, caused cervical spondylosis, or might require further surgery, you can expect compensation of £30,000 to £60,000.

Our vast experience of pursuing road traffic accident cases makes us ideally placed to take on whiplash injury claims in Northern Ireland. We’ve been helping whiplash victims get the compensation they are entitled to since 1993. Our strong commitment to independence and our refusal to accept referrals from insurers means we’re focused on your best interests.

Frequently Asked Questions

We will handle everything to ensure you get the money you’re entitled to for the pain and suffering you’ve experienced. Take the first step towards your compensation today.