Whiplash is one of the UK’s most common road traffic accident injuries — often leaving people with pain, stiffness and discomfort that can make everyday life a struggle. If you’ve been involved in a road traffic accident that left you recovering from whiplash, you might be owed compensation.
Whether you’re pursuing a compensation claim, or simply trying to handle your symptoms better each day, one question you might have is how long does whiplash last? In this guide, we’ll take you through the condition, recovery timelines, symptoms, treatments, and your legal rights to claim.
Whiplash definition
Whiplash is a soft tissue injury that happens when your head suddenly jerks and damages the muscles, ligaments and tendons in your neck. The sudden motion is usually caused by a collision or intense braking on the road and happens so quickly that it resembles the crack of a whip, from which the condition takes its name. Typical whiplash symptoms include:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Headaches, often starting at the base of the skull
- Shoulder and back pain
- Dizziness and fatigue
- Reduced range of motion in the neck
Thankfully, most cases of whiplash are resolved in a matter of weeks — however, some cases can lead to chronic whiplash, where symptoms continue for months or even years.
Whiplash treatment options
If you think you’ve been the victim of a whiplash injury, you need to act quickly so as to reduce the risk of long-term effects. Here’s what you should do:
First steps
The first thing you must do after you think you’ve sustained a whiplash injury is to rest your neck and apply ice to reduce any inflammation the condition has caused you. You can also soothe any pain you might have with over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen and paracetamol.
Medical advice
Even if your symptoms seem mild, visiting a doctor is a must if you suspect you have whiplash. A professional evaluation will confirm your injury and help you on the way to recovery. In some cases, tests like X-rays or MRIs might be needed to rule out fractures or other complications.
Recovery
The long-term recovery options available to you are physiotherapy, gentle exercises and stress management, all of which focus on restoring mobility to your neck, preventing stiffness and improving circulation.
Treatment costs and claims
Physiotherapy and ongoing treatments can be expensive. However, these costs can often be recovered as part of a whiplash injury claim if the accident wasn’t your fault.
Whiplash recovery time
The amount of time it takes to recover from a whiplash injury will vary depending on the severity of the injury, your age, and how quickly treatment begins.
Short-term whiplash
The NHS tells us that most whiplash cases resolve within two or three months. During this time, symptoms will gradually subside with rest, over-the-counter medication and light exercise.
Chronic whiplash
Unfortunately, some cases of whiplash take much longer to resolve and are known as chronic cases. These involve ongoing neck pain, headaches and limited overall mobility — significantly impacting your quality of life.
Factors that influence recovery time
- Severity of injury — Mild cases are generally short term and more severe cases can become chronic.
- Age and general health — If you are younger or in better health, your symptoms will likely clear up faster.
- Treatment — The earlier you get treatment or your injury, the faster you’ll be able to recover.
Claiming compensation for whiplash injuries
If the worst has happened and you’ve suffered a whiplash injury that wasn’t your fault, you could be entitled to compensation. That’s where we come in. At Express Solicitors, we’ll fight in your corner and get you the justice you deserve in the form of compensation. We’ll aim to cover not only your pain and suffering but also any financial losses, like medical expenses and any lost earnings.
The amount of compensation you’ll receive depends on a few factors, including the severity of your injury, recovery time and any additional symptoms or losses. For a better idea of what you can expect from the general damages of a whiplash claim, use our handy compensation calculator.
Whiplash claim timeframes
As with the value of your claim, the timeline for a whiplash injury claim depends completely on the complexity of your case.
If you have minor injuries, where your condition clears up quickly and there is extensive evidence to back up your claim, you should hope to have your case tied up within six to nine months. However, chronic whiplash or cases involving disputed liability can take longer — sometimes up to 18 months or more.
When you get in touch with us, we’ll guide you through the claims process, ensuring that your case is handled efficiently and effectively throughout.
Strengthening your whiplash claim
The best way to ensure your case is airtight is by strengthening your whiplash claim as much as you can before bringing it to the defendant. Here’s what we’d recommend before we begin:
- Collecting evidence — Document what happened, including photographs, witness statements and any visible injuries.
- Seeking medical attention — A medical report is a key piece of evidence for proving the severity of your injury.
- Keeping records — Keep hold of receipts for any treatment costs, prescriptions or related expenses.
- Consulting a solicitor — Seeking legal advice from Express Solicitors will ensure your claim is properly prepared and supported throughout.
Preventing whiplash
Of course, claiming compensation after a whiplash injury can make a bad situation a little better for you — but ideally, you’ll want to avoid whiplash all together. While it’s impossible to eliminate all risks, here are three steps you can take to reduce your chances:
- Adjust your headrest — Ensure your car’s headrest is at the correct height to support your head in case there is a collision.
- Drive safely — Maintain a safe distance from other vehicles and avoid sudden braking.
- Practice good posture — Sit upright with your back fully supported when driving.
How Express Solicitors can help you
Whiplash is a condition that can range from mild to severe, and depending on how long it lasts, can be debilitating in the worst instances. If you’ve suffered from whiplash after a road traffic accident, Express Solicitors is here to help.
Our experienced team can guide you through every step of the claims process, ensuring you get the compensation you deserve. Ready to take the next step? Get in touch