Last updated 14th May 2025. Read our guide below to understand more about whiplash compensation claim time limits in the UK.
Whiplash is a type of neck injury that commonly happens as a result of a car or other vehicle accident. It is caused by the sudden and snapping movement of the head and neck. The soft tissue in the neck is damaged as it is suddenly stretched and strained. For the majority of people the symptoms, such as stiffness, pain, and spasms only last a few weeks or months. For others, they can last much longer and have a severe impact on their lives.
Accident claims and personal injury claims in the UK do have a time limit or date of limitation. Typically, accident claims, such as whiplash compensation claims can be made up to three years after the date of the initial accident. This guide will go into more detail regarding the limitation period for personal injury claims and answer important questions such as “can you prove you have whiplash?”
If you would like to start a personal injury compensation claim and meet the eligibility requirements, speak to Legal Expert today. Our advisory team are specialists in accident claims. There are a number of ways you can get in touch with us.
- Call us on 0800 073 8804
- Visit our contact us page claim online
- Speak to us using the live chat window in the corner
Please read on to learn more about whiplash claims.
Select a Section
- How Long Does A Whiplash Claim Take?
- When Could I Be Eligible To Make A Claim For Whiplash?
- What Accidents Cause Whiplash Injuries
- How To Prove A Whiplash Claim
- Whiplash Compensation – How Much Could I Receive?
- No Win No Fee Legal Help With Claims For Whiplash
- Useful Links
How Long Does A Whiplash Claim Take?
If you have suffered whiplash in a road traffic accident, you may be wondering, ‘How long does a whiplash claim take?’
Under the Limitation Act 1980, you will have three years to start a personal injury claim for whiplash, running from the date of the incident that caused your injuries.
However, there are some expectations that apply to this limitation period. These are:
- Minors – The time limit is frozen until they reach the age of 18. They will then have until they turn 21 to start a claim.
- Those who lack the mental capacity to claim for themselves – For these parties, the time limit is frozen indefinitely. If they were to regain this mental capacity, the three-year time limit will start from the date of recovery.
In both cases where the time limit is frozen, a litigation friend could initiate a claim on behalf of the injured party.
Contact our advisors today if you have any questions regarding the time limit for personal injury claims. Or, continue reading this guide to see when you could be eligible to claim personal injury compensation for whiplash.
When Could I Be Eligible To Make A Claim For Whiplash?
Every road user has a legal obligation to navigate the roads responsibly to avoid others and themselves from coming to harm. This is their duty of care. Part of this duty entails compliance with the relevant regulations and rules set out for them in the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Highway Code.
In order to have good grounds to initiate a personal injury claim for whiplash, the following criteria need to be met:
- Another road user owed you a duty of care.
- They breached this duty of care.
- Due to this, you suffered an injury, such as whiplash.
Whiplash Reform Programme
In 2021, the Whiplash Reform Programme was introduced. These reforms brought changes to how certain claims for whiplash injuries are made in England and Wales. As per the changes, adult passengers or drivers with whiplash injuries valued at £5,000 or less, will make their claim in a different way. In addition, whiplash-type injuries will be valued in accordance with the Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021 tariff of injuries.
In some cases, you may not be required to make your claim via this avenue. For example, you may have sustained other injuries that take the total value of your claim over £5,000. In this instance, your claim will be made the traditional way but whiplash will still be valued according to the tariff. Any other injuries you sustain not included in the tariff will be valued in the traditional way.
Contact our advisory team today to learn which avenue you should take when making your claim.
What Accidents Cause Whiplash Injuries
Whiplash is an injury to the neck that is often caused by a quick and forceful movement. Many types of accidents may result in whiplash injuries as they are caused by sudden movements. However, they commonly result from road traffic accidents.
Some examples of road traffic accidents that may result in whiplash injuries include:
- Rear-end collisions- for example, you may be safely stationary at traffic lights when a speeding road user fails to stop on time, colliding into the rear end of your vehicle. Upon impact, you may suffer from whiplash due to the force of the collision.
- Side-impact collision- for example, you may be safely turning out of a side road onto a main road. If a road user is distracted by their phone, failing to see you turning out, they may collide with the side of your vehicle. The force of impact may result in you suffering from whiplash.
- Head-on collision- for example, you may be safely driving along a two-way street when a road user on the opposite side overtakes a stationary vehicle when it is unsafe to do so. If they collide with the front of your vehicle, it may result in a whiplash injury.
It is important to note that if you were involved in a collision and are experiencing symptoms of whiplash, you should seek medical attention.
If you have sustained whiplash in a car accident that was not your fault, please get in touch with our friendly advisors to find out if you are eligible to start a whiplash compensation claim.
How To Prove A Whiplash Claim
Providing evidence is a crucial part of making a whiplash compensation claim. You’ll need proof that confirms your injuries, including the severity and how they have affected your life. You also need to show how another party breached their duty of care and that this led to your injuries. Evidence for your case may include:
- Your medical records with details of your injuries and the treatment for them
- The contact details of any witnesses to the accident to ensure their statements can be taken later
- Photographs, these could be from the scene or of any visible injuries.
- CCTV or dashcam footage of your accident
If you contact our advisors for free, they can offer more insight into the evidence that you could use to prove your claim. They can answer questions like “How long does a whiplash claim take?” and “What is the whiplash time limit?”.
Whiplash Compensation – How Much Could I Receive?
When claiming for whiplash following a road traffic accident, you might be curious to know how much compensation you could receive.
If your claim succeeds, you will be compensated for your general damages. These relate to the physical or mental pain you suffer along with your injuries. If you have suffered a loss of amenity, which is a reduction in your quality of life, this will also be accounted for under this part of your claim.
The Guidelines from the Judicial College (JCG) are a useful way for solicitors to work out how much compensation you may be awarded for certain injuries. The publication features various injuries alongside guideline compensation amounts. We have taken compensation brackets from the JCG to produce the table below. At the bottom of the table you will see two entries looking at the fixed tariffs for whiplash injuries found in the Whiplash Injury Regulation 2021. We’ve also included a figure at the top of the table to illustrate how your settlement could compensate for multiple injuries and related, out of pocket expenses. Please only use the table as a guide.
| Type of Injury | Severity | Compensation Bracket | Features of Injury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple Serious Injuries And Their Financial Losses | Severe | Up to £100,000+ | Compensation for multiple severe injuries and the financial losses they cause such as travel costs. |
| Back | Moderate (i) | £33,880 to £47,320 | This bracket may cover a wide variety of back injuries that could lead to residual disability. |
| Back | Moderate (ii) | £15,260 to £33,880 | Ligament and muscle disturbances that cause backache or prolapsed discs discs that lead to a laminectomy being required. |
| Back | Minor (i) | £9,630 to £15,260 | Less serious sprains, disc prolapses or strains where a recovery to nuisance level or a full recovery is achieved without surgery within two to five years. |
| Neck | Moderate (i) | £30,500 to £46,970 | This bracket may apply to fractures and dislocations that cause severe symptoms that appear immediately. May also cover cases involving pre-existing degenerative changes or existing symptoms have been accelerated. |
| Neck | Moderate (ii) | £16,770 to £30,500 | Soft tissue or a wrenching injury that, if particularly severe, can lead to recurring or permanent pain as well as serious limitation of movement. |
| Neck | Moderate (iii) | ££9,630 to £16,770 | Injuries like this can accelerate or exacerbate a pre-existing condition, usually for less than five years. |
| Whiplash | One whiplash injury or more + one psychological injury or more | £4,345 | Symptoms last between 18-24 months. |
| Whiplash | One whiplash injury or more | £4,215 | Symptoms last between 18 - 24 months. |
Another element to consider when assessing the value of your whiplash compensation is any financial losses or out-of-pocket expenses inflicted by your injuries. Special damages are awarded to compensate for this type of loss.
Examples of financial harm losses covered by special damages include:
- A loss of earnings if you require time off work to recover from your whiplash injuries.
- Care costs
- Prescription or over-the-counter medication costs
- The cost of childcare
Free advice from our team of friendly advisors is available around the clock. If you seek legal support, they could connect you with our expert No Win No Fee solicitors.
No Win No Fee Legal Help With Claims For Whiplash
There are many benefits to working with a No Win No Fee solicitor. Whiplash claims may seem daunting or complex, but our solicitors have years of experience handling various types of road traffic accident claims. Because of this, they can guide you through the whiplash claims process, answering any questions you may have and explaining any legal jargon along the way.
Under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), which is a type of No Win No Fee arrangement, one of our solicitors could help you through the claims process without asking for any upfront service fees. Similarly, they won’t ask for payment for their work on your case if your claim fails.
If your claim is successful, your solicitor will receive a success fee. This is a small, legally limited percentage. It will be taken from your award before you receive your compensation.
Our advisors are here to help if you’d like to find out more about claims for whiplash. Get in touch today to find out if you could be eligible to work with one of our No Win No Fee solicitors.
- Call 0800 073 8804
- Use our live chat service.
- Visit our ‘contact us’ page.
Useful Links
- Whiplash Compensation Calculator
- Personal Injury Claims
- CCTV Footage Request Form
- Litigation Friends
- From Information On Whiplash From The NHS
We hope this article has answered important questions, such as “How long do I have to start a whiplash claim?” However, if you have further questions about the personal injury claim time limit or if you’re eligible to claim, please contact us using the details above. We offer free legal advice at a time that works for you.
