Could Your Neck Pain Have Been Caused By A Recent Minor Road Traffic Accident?

Minor accidents happen on a daily basis on the UK's roads and, fortunately, most of these minor accidents do not result in injuries to any of the people involved. Often the worst that happens is that tempers are flared, words of anger or frustration are exchanged between the drivers and perhaps some minor damage has been caused to one or more of the vehicles involved in the collision. It is often the case that once the drivers involved in the accident have had a chance to calm down, ensure that the damage to their vehicle is only minor and that they are seemingly walking away from the accident unharmed, they are eager to put the matter behind them and move on. It is likely that insurance details will be exchanged so that any minor repairs that need to be carried out to the damaged vehicle can be claimed from the insurance company of the driver caused the collision. However, if nobody appeared to have been injured in the collision then there is no requirement to call the police and both parties are free to leave the scene of the accident.

However, what happens if during the hours or days following the collision you begin to experience some neck pain and/or other symptoms? Could these symptoms be connected to your recent minor road traffic accident even though you seemingly appeared to walk away unharmed? A whiplash injury occurs during the course of a collision when the head and neck are suddenly and forcefully thrown back and forth. This causes the soft-tissue and ligaments in the neck to be stretched beyond their normal range of movement. Crucially, the symptoms of a whiplash injury may not be immediately apparent. In fact, it commonly takes several hours or even several days for the symptoms of a whiplash injury to appear. If some time has passed since your accident, and you had assured yourself that you had walked away from the accident unharmed, you may not immediately connect these symptoms with your recent minor road traffic accident. However, the chances are that you may be suffering from a whiplash injury and you should immediately get your symptoms assessed by your GP or your local Accident & Emergency department.

When symptoms do occur they may include headaches, pain and stiffness in your neck, shoulders and upper back, restricted movement in your neck, nausea, dizziness and pins and needles. If you are experiencing any or all of these symptoms and have recently been involved in a road traffic accident, even a very minor one, it is likely that you are suffering from a whiplash injury. Early medical advice can be crucial in ensuring that your recovery from the whiplash injury is not delayed. Treatment may be in the form of strong painkillers, gentle mobility exercises and, depending on the severity of your injury, a course of physiotherapy.

If you wish to make a claim for compensation for your whiplash injury you have three years from the date of accident in which to do so. If you fail to take action within this time you may be prevented in law from making a claim.

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