If you think you have whiplash or related injuries after being in a car accident, even if your symptoms are mild, the law says you are entitled to financial compensation because of the pain and suffering you have experienced.
We are experts in settling whiplash compensation claims. With almost 300 years of combined legal experience, our no win no fee solicitors are highly skilled in recovering the highest possible compensation for whiplash and other injuries.
Key Points When Claiming For Whiplash
Find our your legal rights to claiming compensation
Speak to our award winning legal team now by calling 01625 415 850 or request a call back.
We are committed to providing access to justice for injured people and offer our legal services with a no-win-no-fee guarantee.
There are many questions about claiming for whiplash. This guide will help inform you of your rights and the options you have to make a claim. Click on one of the sections below to start.
What Is Whiplash
Whiplash is a soft tissue injury to the neck caused by a sudden head and neck movement.
Sometimes likened to the cracking of a whip, the rapid movement of the head and neck forwards and backwards or sideways causes the ligaments and tissues in the neck to become stretched and damaged.
Injuries can be more severe if your head is turned at the time of the collision or if you’re not expecting it.
Symptoms of whiplash can include neck, shoulder and back pain, headaches, nausea, and difficulty in moving your head.
Whiplash injuries are very common in road traffic accidents and can occur irrespective of the speed of the impact. According to the Government, over 80% of all road accidents were whiplash related.
More Information
When Can I Make A Whiplash Claim?
You may be able to claim for whiplash if you’ve suffered whiplash injuries caused by a road accident that wasn’t your fault. In some instances, you may be able to claim if the accident was partly your fault. Your rights to claim are exactly the same whether you are a driver or passenger in the car.
Why Choose Bott and Co?
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A History of Success
We have helped our clients claim over £120m in compensation over the last twenty years.
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Expert Legal Advice
Recognised not just within our industry but also by Martin Lewis as “pioneers” in our field.
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On Your Side
Completely independent, our only focus is helping you claim for what you are legally entitled to.
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Fully Regulated
We are members of the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Your claim is in safe hands.
How Long Do I Have To Make A Whiplash Claim?
The time limit for making a whiplash claim is three years from the date of the accident or from the date you first became aware of your injury. If you are claiming on behalf of a child, you have up to three years from the date they turn 18 to claim.
How Much Compensation Can You Claim For Whiplash?
The amount of compensation you can claim for whiplash range from £275 up to £4,830, depending on the length of time you suffer from your injuries.
As of June 2021, the amount of compensation you may be able to claim for whiplash injuries has changed.
To reduce the number of fraudulent whiplash claims, the Government introduced The Civil Liabilities Act in 2021. Under this new Law, whiplash amounts have been reduced and are significantly lower than before. These amounts have been updated on May 31st, 2025.
Amounts are now based on the length of time you suffer from your injuries rather than the severity of your injuries.
Whiplash Compensation Claim Amounts March 2026
| Duration Of Injury | Lower Tariff (without psychological injuries) |
Upper Tariff (with psychological injuries) |
|---|---|---|
| Not more than 3 months | £275 | £300 |
| More than 3 months but not more than 6 months | £565 | £595 |
| More than 6 months but not more than 9 months | £965 | £1,025 |
| More than 9 months but not more than 12 months | £1,510 | £1,595 |
| More than 12 months but not more than 15 months | £2,335 | £2,435 |
| More than 15 months but not more than 18 months | £3,445 | £3,550 |
| More than 18 months but not more than 24 months | £4,830 | £4,975 |
An additional 20% may be claimed in “exceptional circumstances.” An example may be where the injury is exceptionally severe or the circumstances have led to increased pain and suffering.
The Rights For Claiming For Whiplash Have Changed
The Civil Liabilities Act has changed how someone can claim for their whiplash injuries.
Significantly, the Act has raised the small claims limit from £1,000 to £5,000. With the introduction of the new fixed amount whiplash tariffs, most whiplash claims now fall below this amount and reduce the previous rights of an injured person.
For whiplash claims valued under £5,000, claimants will no longer benefit from a contribution from the negligent driver’s insurer to their legal fees, reducing the total compensation they may receive.
Additionally, for whiplash claims valued under £5,000, people now have the option to claim themselves at https://www.officialinjuryclaim.org.uk/, or to have a solicitor claim on their behalf.
Many within the legal industry and those who have suffered injuries have suggested that the new laws decrease the access to rightful justice as the new amounts are considerably lower than before.
Previously, mild whiplash injuries that lasted for just a few days or weeks settled on average for between £1,000 to £2,750, while severe whiplash with ongoing symptoms and damage to the spine can entitle you to as much as £97,500.
Claiming Whiplash Compensation For “Special Damages.”
The Law has not changed your legal right to claim for any out-of-pocket expenses you may have incurred or will incur in the future. These expenses are known as “special damages.”
These expenses can be as broad as recovery for damage to your vehicle and possessions, all medical costs such as rehabilitation and physiotherapy, and any loss of earnings.
Special Damages You May Be Able to Claim For
A free claim consultation with one of our team is the quickest way to know how much you may be able to claim for your specific injuries. Most consultations take no more than 5 to 10 minutes.
Looking Out For Your Best Interests
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No Win No Fee
Our No Win No Fee promise means you are at no financial risk if you decide to make a claim
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Interim Payments
We can provide an advance compensation payment where applicable
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Same Day Payments
We make immediate, sometimes same day payment upon settlement of your case
How Much Compensation Can I Claim For Severe Whiplash?
When your injuries are classed as severe, and the value of your claim is over £5,000, the amount of compensation you may be able to claim is set by The Judicial Board Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases, which lists compensation amounts for particular levels of injury.
The amount will depend on how serious your injuries are and how long it will take you to make a full recovery.
Our interactive calculator below will help you find out how much compensation you may receive when claiming for whiplash.
The amounts listed below are based on average settlement figures awarded by Judges at Trial. The figures are accurate as of March 2026.
Try Our Road Accident Claims Calculator To See How Much You Could Claim
Injuries may include
Additional Compensation
The above figure, known as 'general damages' only relates to the compensation you may be able to claim for
your injuries. You may also be able to claim for 'special damages' which includes your out of pocket expenses,
medical costs, and loss of earnings. Contact our legal team to discuss the specifics of your accident and how
much you might be able to claim.
Please be aware that compensation amounts vary on a case-by-case basis. These figures are intended only as a guide toward what your claim may be worth.
As part of claiming with Bott and Co, you will undergo an independent medical assessment. Following this assessment, we will know an accurate amount of compensation we may be able to claim for you.
Additionally, you can claim for special damages; these are any out-of-pocket expenses you may have incurred or will incur in the future that relate to your accident.
How Do I Make A No Win No Fee Whiplash Claim?
The first step is to speak to our team to discover if you have a claim.
Our multi-lingual team of specialist whiplash injury legal advisors can let you know if you would be able to claim during your first call. It will take no longer than 5 to 10 minutes.
We provide our legal services on a No Win No Fee basis. This means you won’t pay a penny if we don’t win your case.
Once you decide you’d like Bott and Co to represent you and have agreed to our No Win No Fee agreement, you’ll be assigned to a specialist member of our whiplash claims team.
Should you decide to claim with us, the legal process of claiming compensation will be split into four steps.
Proving Liability
We’ll ask you for information that you may already have from the scene of the crash. This would include the contact details of the other parties, Police reports, witness statements, and photographic and video evidence.
We’ll then be able to determine who was responsible for the accident. The more information you can provide, the quicker and easier it is for us to compile a case against the third party. This usually means the process is shorter, and you’ll receive your compensation sooner.
Medical Examination
Even if you have been to a GP or attended A&E, we may need to arrange a further independent medical assessment to discover the level of your injuries.
A follow-up assessment is sometimes necessary to see if your symptoms have progressed and accurately assess the level of compensation you may be entitled to.
Legal Representation
Using your evidence and medical reports, our solicitors will build the best possible case for compensation to present to the third party’s insurance company.
A claim for your injuries and any financial losses will be presented to the third party. Negotiation will take place until the claim is settled.
We will use all our experience and industry knowledge to negotiate the maximum compensation for you.
Settlement – Compensation Is Paid
Once we’ve received an offer from the third-party insurers, we’ll talk to you about whether or not you should accept it or if we should continue the claim.
Once an offer is accepted and we’ve received the money from the insurers, we’ll send you a cheque immediately for the compensation amount.
Award Winning Customer Service
Our experienced expert legal team is ready to take your call.
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Free Consultation
Contact us and find out if you can make a claim and how much it might be worth.
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Tailor-Made Claim Process
We adjust our simple claim process to fit your personal needs and requirements
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Comprehensive Support
Immediate access replacement vehicles, physio and medical support
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Stress-Free Claim Management
Choose from a selection of ways to keep up to date with your claim.
How Long Does A Whiplash Claim Take?
Each claim is unique due to its individual circumstances. It is, therefore, difficult to provide an accurate expected length of time for a case to be completed.
Usually, more complex claims will take longer than more straightforward ones.
For example, claims may conclude earlier when the other side admits fault than claims when they do not.
Find out if you can claim now. Our experienced legal team are usually able to advise you if you can claim on your initial call, which will take no longer than 5 to 10 minutes.
If your injuries are more serious, it may take for the full extent of your injuries to become known.
In these instances, we may need to wait for a medical expert to confirm your prognosis before accepting any offer.
Our legal team will be able to advise you on the expected length of your case.
Should I Deal Directly With The Insurance Company About My Whiplash Claim?
We strongly recommend you speak with a solicitor before discussing any offer of compensation from an insurance company.
In many cases, the amount of compensation they may offer could be a fraction of the amount you may legally be entitled to claim.
We strongly recommend you speak with a solicitor before discussing any offer of compensation from an insurance company.
What Do I Do If My Insurance Company Has Already Instructed A Law Firm For Me?
Sometimes insurance companies have relationships with law firms and may pass on your details.
You are under no legal obligation to accept any legal representation set up for you. It is entirely up to you who you decide to represent you.
Can I Make A No Win No Fee Whiplash Claim?
There are no upfront fees to claiming for whiplash. Most solicitors, including Bott and Co, provide legal services on a No Win No Fee basis.
No Win No Fee is also known as a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), which means we agree to work for you on the basis that we won’t charge any fees if, in the rare instance, the claim is not successful.
Simply put, you don’t have to pay a penny if we don’t win your case.
Following a change in the Law in 2013, most solicitors deduct a fee from your total compensation to cover the costs of their legal services. We will explain our fees in your initial call with us.
Why Choose Bott and Co For Your Whiplash Claim?
We’ve built a reputation over the last two decades as one of the most respected law firms in the UK
Bott and Co have always been, and will always be, independent of any insurance company, ensuring you’ll receive completely independent advice about your claim and the maximum amount of compensation you’re legally entitled to.
As a member of The Law Society, and The Solicitors Regulation Authority, we are bound by strict regulation, unlike claims management companies, and you benefit from full solicitor-client confidentiality.
We don’t pass your details on to any other company, and our only concern is to make sure you receive the best offer from the other side.
The support we offer our clients stretches far beyond our award-winning legal services. Our tailor-made claim process ensures we’re always there for you when you need us most.
Our Most Common Frequently Asked Questions About Claiming For Whiplash
Can You Claim For Whiplash If The Accident Was Your Fault?
Every car accident is unique, and a combination of factors usually contributes to an accident. Your right to claim depends on these circumstances.
It may be that you were not at fault, partly at fault or at fault. In all instances, you still may be able to claim. Even if you think you may be at fault, that may not be the case legally. Contact our team to discuss your case.
If you are partly responsible for the accident, you may be able to claim under what is called a split liability agreement. This would mean that if you were 50% responsible for the accident, you would receive 50% less compensation.
We recommend you speak with our team to discuss your case. It may be that you were legally not at fault or partly at fault. In all instances, you still may be able to claim.
Can I Claim Whiplash Without Seeing A Doctor?
You can start your claim with us without having seen a GP or visited a hospital, but we will arrange a medical appointment on your behalf to present the medical evidence to the other side.
The Civil Liabilities Act has banned claiming whiplash without first obtaining medical evidence.
Who Do I Claim Compensation From?
In most cases, the insurance company of the driver who was responsible for the accident will be legally obliged to pay the amount of compensation you may receive.
We strongly advise you to speak with a solicitor who is independent of any insurance company before accepting any offer to ensure the amount you are offered is comparable to the amount you’re legally entitled to.
Do Whiplash Claims Go To Court?
In our experience, less than 1% of claims go to court. It’s only when both parties cannot agree to settle a claim when a case may end up going to court. Even if your case were to go to court, you would unlikely need to attend.
Can I Claim Whiplash If I Was A Passenger?
Yes, you may be able to claim for whiplash if you were a passenger. For example, you could claim if you were a passenger in a car, or on private transport such as a taxi, or public transport such as a bus.
Drivers in such circumstances have a duty of care to ensure their passengers’ safety.
Can I Claim Whiplash If I Was Hit By An Uninsured Driver?
Yes, you can claim if an uninsured driver has hit you or the driver has broken the conditions of their insurance policy. These claims are settled with the Motor Insurance Bureau, an independent body to compensate uninsured or untraced accident victims.
Can I Claim Whiplash If I Was Involved In A “Hit and Run?”
Yes, you will likely be able to claim if you’ve been involved in an accident when the driver at fault has left the scene. The Motor Insurance Bureau handles these claims.
If I Talk With You About My Claim, Am I Under Any Obligation To Claim With You?
Not at all; you can speak with us with no obligation to pursue a claim.
What Are The Symptoms Of Whiplash?
Whiplash symptoms can vary from person to person, depending on the circumstances in which the injury occurred.
Most common whiplash symptoms include pain, tenderness or stiffness in the neck, muscle spasms, and difficulty moving your head. It is also common to have headaches and pain in your shoulders and arms.
Whiplash injuries do not always show instantly. It is common for symptoms to develop between 6 and 12 hours after the crash, while some can appear days after and get progressively worse.
It’s important to monitor your health over this time and seek medical advice such as visiting your GP if you suffer any of these typical whiplash symptoms:
What Should I Do If I Think I Have Whiplash?
If your pain is not manageable after taking painkillers, we suggest you visit your GP or A&E to have a medical professional examine you
Apart from helping you with your pain, they will also document your injuries. These documents can be used as part of your claim.