What Is The Average Payout For Whiplash After A Road Traffic Accident?

By Jo Anderson. Last Updated 15th November 2023. If you’ve suffered a whiplash injury in an accident, you may want to make a personal injury claim for compensation. In this guide, we explain how we can help you do that, as well as take a look at the average payout for whiplash. 

You could also have injured your back or shoulders too, which could all cause significant disruption to your life. It’s only fair that you’re compensated for that pain and discomfort.

Below, we explain the criteria for claiming a payout for whiplash. We also discuss the role of No Win No Fee agreements.

If you’d like to make a personal injury claim, or if you’d like more advice on the likes of the minimum payout for whiplash, then get in touch.

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average payout for whiplash

Whiplash compensation claims settlement guide

Select A Section

  1. What Is The Average Payout For Whiplash?
  2. Could I Make A Claim For Whiplash?
  3. Evidence That Can Support Claims For Whiplash Payouts
  4. How Long Do I Have To Claim A Payout For Whiplash?
  5. No Win No Fee Claims For Whiplash Injuries
  6. Essential Links Relating To The Minimum Compensation Payout For Whiplash

What Is The Average Payout For Whiplash?

You may be wondering whether there is an average whiplash claim payout. However, it is difficult to provide an average because each settlement is calculated on a case-by-case basis. Generally, though, a payout awarded following a successful claim could include:

  • General damages: Compensating for the pain and suffering of the injuries, physical, psychological, or both.
  • Special damages: Compensating for the financial losses caused by the injuries. This can include loss of earnings, medical expenses and care costs. Evidence such as receipts and payslips can be provided to prove these losses.

When assessing the value of general damages, solicitors could refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). This publication provides guideline compensation brackets corresponding to different injuries. Some of these have been included in the table below but they are only to be used as a guide.

The table also contains figures from the Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021 tariff, which is used to calculate the value of whiplash injuries. These are fixed amounts that we discuss further in the following section.

The first entry has not been taken from either the JCG or the whiplash tariff.

InjuryNotesBracket Guidelines
Multiple injuries that are serious and their financial lossesA combination of injuries that cause severe consequences including financial losses such as travel and medical expenses.Up to £175,000+
Neck Injuries - Severe (i)Incomplete paraplegia from an associated neck injury.In the region of £148,330
Neck Injuries - Severe (ii)Serious fractures or damage to cervical spine discs.£65,740 to £130,930
Neck Injuries - Severe (iii)Severe damage to soft tissues and ruptured tendons leading to chronic conditions.£45,470 to £55,990
Neck Injuries - Moderate (i)Fractures or dislocations causing severe immediate symptoms that may require spinal fusion.£24,990 to £38,490
Neck Injuries - Moderate (ii)Injuries that have been accelerated or exacerbated by a pre-existing condition.£13,740 to £24,990
Neck Injuries - Moderate (iii)Moderate soft tissue injuries with a fairly protracted recovery period.£7,890 to £13,740
Whiplash - One or more whiplash injuriesSymptoms lasting 18-24 months.£4,215
Whiplash - One or more whiplash injuries with one or more psychological injuriesSymptoms lasting 18-24 months.£4,345

If you would like to discuss whiplash compensation payouts in the UK, please contact an advisor at the number above.

The Whiplash Reforms

Due to the introduction of the Whiplash Reform Programme, the way some claims are made for road traffic accidents has changed. If you are over the age of 18, and were injured as a driver or passenger of a vehicle in England or Wales, and your injuries are valued at £5,000 or less, your claim needs to be made via a different avenue.

The tariff in the Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021 will now be used to value your whiplash injuries. Any other injuries you may have suffered that are not covered by this tariff will be valued in the traditional way. Also, if additional injuries mean that the total value of all your injuries exceeds £5,000, you will claim via the traditional route.

Contact our advisors today if you have any questions about claiming for whiplash and the payout you could potentially receive.

Could I Make A Claim For Whiplash?

Before we give further advice on the average whiplash settlement, we should first discuss when a person could claim for a whiplash injury.

To have a valid claim, you would have to prove that another road user breached a duty of care they had towards you, and you suffered a whiplash injury as a result.

Road users owe each other a duty of care not to use the roads in a manner that could cause harm to themselves or others. They must also follow the Road Traffic Act 1988, and refer to the rules and guidance contained within the Highway Code. A failure to do so could be a breach of their duty of care towards you, and this could lead to a whiplash injury. In this instance, you may have a valid personal injury claim.

To learn more about making a claim for a whiplash injury or to ask questions about the average whiplash payout, please contact an advisor.

Evidence That Can Support Claims For Whiplash Payouts

To successfully claim a payout for whiplash, you’ll need evidence to support your case. The evidence you collect needs to prove the injuries you’re claiming and who was liable for them. Potential evidence to support your claim could include:

  • Medical records that confirm the injuries you’re claiming for and what treatment you’ve received for them.
  • The contact details of any witnesses who can provide a statement.
  • Any video footage available that shows your accident, such as CCTV footage or dashcam footage.
  • Photographs showing the accident scene and your injuries.

If you get support from a solicitor, then they can help with gathering evidence that can support your case. For more advice on gathering evidence or to ask about other aspects of claims for whiplash payouts, such as whether there is an average whiplash settlement, please contact our advisors for free today.

How Long Do I Have To Claim A Payout For Whiplash?

As well as wondering how much of a settlement for whiplash you could receive, you may also want to know how long you have to make a claim. Generally, you need to start a claim within 3 years of the injury being sustained. This is stated in the Limitation Act 1980.

There are two exceptions to this time limit:

  • Those with a reduced mental capacity – If the injured party is incapable of making a claim, then their time limit is suspended. It would only start if and when they are deemed capable of making their own claim. Before then, a litigation friend must be appointed to make a claim on behalf of the injured party.
  • Injured children – Anyone under the age of 18 cannot make their own claim. Their time limit is suspended until their 18th birthday, as this is when they can claim by themselves. Prior to the injured party reaching adulthood, a litigation friend must also be appointed if a claim is to be made on behalf of the injured child.

Get in touch if you have any questions about claim time limits. Our advisors are ready to offer you free advice and guidance on a 24/7 basis.

No Win No Fee Claims For Whiplash Injuries

If you are eligible to make a claim for whiplash, one of our solicitors may be able to assist you with your case. They could help you gather sufficient evidence to support your claim, and explain anything you don’t understand during the  process of your claim.

Furthermore, they may offer to work on your case under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). With this No Win No Fee arrangement in place, you will not have to pay them any upfront or ongoing fees for their services. Should your case fail, you will not be expected to pay them for their work.

Should your claim be successful, they will take a legally capped success fee from your payout. This is usually a small percentage of the total settlement.

If you would like to know whether one of our No Win No Fee solicitors could help you, or for more information on how much you may be able to receive in a whiplash claim payout, you can contact our advisors.

Start Your Claim For Whiplash Injury Compensation

Hopefully, now, we’ve given you the information you’re looking for when it comes to claiming for a road traffic accident that has caused you to sustain a whiplash injury.

Our telephone helpline is open 24/7. There are various other ways to reach us too. However you choose to get in touch, we’ll aim to help you as quickly and as effectively as possible.

Or, you can choose to chat with one of our advisors using the Live Chat Feature on this page.

Essential Links Relating To The Minimum Compensation Payout For Whiplash

Thank you for reading our guide on the average payout for whiplash.