Whiplash Compensation Claims
If you have sustained a whiplash injury as a result of a personal injury or a road accident, contact us so we can provide you with the best legal advice.
Make a Claim
Whiplash is a term used to describe a neck injury caused by a sudden, forceful back-and-forth movement of the head and neck, similar to the cracking of a whip. This rapid motion can damage the bones (vertebrae), discs, ligaments, muscles, and nerves in the neck. While most often associated with rear-end car collisions, whiplash can also result from sports injuries, falls, or bicycle accidents. The medical term often used to describe the collection of symptoms that follow this type of trauma is Whiplash-Associated Disorder (WAD).
After 31st of May, 2025, the value of the whiplash claims now falls within a fixed tariff scheme.
Click here to get started with your Whiplash Injury claim at Accident Solicitors Direct
Recognising the Symptoms of Whiplash
It is crucial to seek a medical diagnosis promptly after an injury. Whiplash can manifest in a varied number of ways, but some of the recognisable symptoms of a whiplash injury include:
| Symptom Category | Common Manifestations |
| Pain and Stiffness | Neck pain and stiffness, pain that worsens with movement, and loss of range of motion. |
| Headaches | Headaches, often starting at the base of the skull. |
| Neurological | Tingling, numbness, or ‘pins and needles’ in the arms/hands, dizziness, or blurred vision. |
| Cognitive/Other | Tiredness, difficulty concentrating, trouble sleeping, or irritability. |
The Legal Context: The Scope of the Whiplash Tariff
The Whiplash Tariff, introduced by the Civil Liability Act 2018 reforms, fundamentally changes how some claims are valued, but it has a very specific scope.
Who is Covered and Who is Excluded from Whiplash Claims?
Covered: The fixed tariff compensation awards apply only to adults (aged 18 or over) who were the driver or passenger of a motor vehicle (excluding a motorcycle) when they suffered a whiplash injury in a road traffic accident on or after May 31, 2021.
Excluded (Vulnerable Road Users): Claims brought by Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs) for any injury, including whiplash, are not subject to the fixed tariff and are instead valued under the traditional common law system. VRUs include pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and horse riders.
Crucial Rule for Whiplash Claims: One Tariff Award Only
The definition of a whiplash injury under the Act is wide-ranging, including soft tissue injuries to the neck, back, and shoulders. If you suffer multiple whiplash injuries (e.g., neck pain and shoulder stiffness), you do not get a tariff award for each injury. Instead, you receive only one tariff award based on the most serious of your whiplash injuries. This is usually determined by the injury that has the longest duration. The compensation is a single, global sum intended to cover all the pain, suffering, and loss of amenity resulting from the multiple, co-existing soft tissue injuries.
The Uprated Whiplash Tariff (Effective from May 31, 2025)
These figures apply to motor vehicle occupants (non-VRUs) injured on or after 31 May
2025.
| Duration of Injury (up to 24 months) | Whiplash Only | Whiplash and Minor Psychological Injury |
| Not more than 3 months | £275 | £300 |
| More than 3 but not more than 6 months | £565 | £595 |
| More than 6 but not more than 9 months | £965 | £1,025 |
| More than 9 but not more than 12 months | £1,510 | £1,595 |
| More than 12 but not more than 15 months | £2,335 | £2,435 |
| More than 15 but not more than 18 months | £3,445 | £3,550 |
| More than 18 but not more than 24 months | £4,830 | £4,975 |
The Discretionary 20% Uplift in Exceptional Circumstances
The court has the power to award an amount greater than the relevant tariff figure, but this increase cannot exceed 20% of the tariff amount. This requires the injury to be exceptionally severe for its duration band, OR the claimant’s exceptional circumstances must have increased their suffering.
Valuing ‘Mixed Claims’
A Mixed Claim is one where the claimant suffers both a Tariff Injury (whiplash) and a Non-Tariff Injury (e.g., a fractured limb or a non-minor psychological injury) in the same accident. The valuation of these claims is governed by the Supreme Court’s ruling in Hassam v Rabot.
The Five-Step Valuation Process
A court must follow this precise methodology to value the total General Damages (PSLA—Pain, Suffering, and Loss of Amenity):
| Step | Action | Principle Applied |
| 1. Assess Tariff | Determine the fixed award for the whiplash injury using the Tariff table. | |
| 2. Assess Non-Tariff | Assess the common law damages for the Non-Tariff injury using the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG), valuing it as a stand-alone injury. | Common Law Assessment |
| 3. Combine | Add the Tariff amount (Step 1) and the Non-Tariff amount (Step 2) together. | (This provides the theoretical maximum total.) |
| 4. Step Back and Adjust | ‘Step back’ and apply a deduction to the Non-Tariff amount only to account for any overlap or concurrency of pain and suffering between the | Sadler v Filipiak Principle |
| 5. Apply the Caveat | Ensure the final total award is not lower than the amount that would have been awarded for the Non- Tariff injury alone (the value from Step 2). | The Rabot Caveat (Guaranteeing common law value). |
Maximising Your Whiplash Claim: Special Damages
The compensation tariff only covers the injury itself (General Damages). You can still claim
for Special Damages under the traditional system, which covers all financial losses,
including:
- Loss of earnings (past and future).
- Medical and travel expenses.
- The cost of care or assistance.
What Are Common Causes of Whiplash?
Whiplash injuries are generally caused by accidents or events that jolt the head suddenly in one direction. This can happen in a variety of settings and environments, such as:
- Road traffic accidents
- Cycling accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Motor accidents as a pedestrian
- Workplace accidents, particularly those involving machinery.
The full impact of a whiplash injury may not present itself immediately, and can have a lasting impact on the way you live your life. Regardless of when the symptoms begin, if the event was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may have grounds to make a whiplash accident claim.
Contact us, and our whiplash claims lawyers will contact you and give you the support you need.
Why work with our specialist whiplash claim solicitors?
Choosing the right legal team to handle your manual handling injury claim is crucial. When you work with us, we offer:
- Free Initial Consultation. We’ll assess the details of your case and advise on the best course of action.
- No Win, No Fee: You won’t pay any legal fees unless we win your case.
- Expert Legal Advice. Our team has extensive experience in manual handling injury claims, ensuring you receive the maximum compensation.
- Support Throughout Your Claim. From the beginning to the end, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
- Free same-day home visit if you live around the Sheffield area, or in the surrounding counties.
Our team always works tirelessly on your behalf to ensure you get the best outcome.
Submit your claim and work with us today!
Additional support for whiplash claims
If you are looking to read more information on your claim and get further guidance, check our:
- How the Law Surrounding Whiplash Claims Has Changed?
- 3 Reasons to Make a Whiplash Claim
- Case Studies
- Meet The Team
Ready to Discuss Your Whiplash Claim?
Navigating the complexities of the Whiplash Tariff, the Rabot principle, and the exclusion of
Vulnerable Road Users require specialist legal knowledge. Our team is an expert at assessing your claim under the correct legal framework to ensure you receive the maximum compensation you deserve.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Making a claim
Our Complete Guide to Making a Claim
Want to know more about what will happen next? Read our step-by-step guide to making a claim.
Our Personal Injury Services
Richard Meggitt
Partner/Solicitor
Major Trauma Cases
0114 2672472
Year of call as a solicitor 1996.
Richard is a qualified solicitor, having joined the firm in 1996. He has deliberately restricted his case load to serious injury claims. Having acted for more than 500 Claimants in major trauma cases, his expertise is recognised by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers; Richard is a senior litigator.
Ralph Clark
Solicitor/Partner
Personal Injury Litigation / Serious Injury Cases /Major Trauma
0114 2678780
Year of call as a solicitor 2007.
Ralph joined the firm in 2003 and became Managing Partner in 2018.
Ralph’s background is in health and safety. He graduated with a degree in Environmental Health in 1998 before qualifying as an Environment Health Officer. He then specialised in the enforcement of health and safety and accident investigation within premises in Sheffield. He completed a post graduate diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Management, before then undertaking a post graduate diploma in Law and the Legal Practice Course, qualifying as a Solicitor in 2007.
Over the years Ralph has developed a case load primarily of high value catastrophic injury cases arising from major trauma and diseases; spanning brain injuries, amputations and life changing injuries and diseases. He also assists Children who have suffered serious injury through the partnership between the MTSP and the Sheffield Children’s Hospital.
Testimonials
Making a Claim
- Complete the online form
A Solicitor will call you back the same day. If we believe we can assist we will arrange an immediate home visit. - Call us and speak to a Solicitor
Give us a call; if we believe we can assist we will arrange an immediate home visit. - Email one of our Solicitors
If you would like to get in touch with our solicitors directly, visit the contact page to find out more - Visit us at our Sheffield office
Visit anytime between 9.30am and 4.00pm. We guarantee you will be able to see a Solicitor face to face even without an appointment.
Want to know more about what will happen next? Read our step-by-step guide to making a claim. If you have any questions, please contact us on 0800 163 622.
Complete Online Form
Complete the online form below, and we will call you back the same day. If we believe we can assist we will arrange an immediate home visit