Brits with legitimate whiplash injury claims must be taken seriously, says Precision Claims

Specialist car accident claims company Precision Claims has spoken out about the rising number of false whiplash injury claims being made across the UK, stating that these cases only make it more difficult for those with a genuine injury to claim the compensation they deserve.

A group of MPs recently convened to discuss opportunities to reduce the high number of whiplash compensation claims that are being referred to solicitors purely on subjective evidence and, therefore, may not be entirely legitimate.

The Transport Select Committee revealed that there has been a 70% rise in the number of motor insurance injury claims over the past six years, despite the number of casualties caused by road accidents actually falling by 23%.

Louise Ellman, chair of the group, suggested this may be down to the so-called ‘compensation culture’ whereby information about car accidents is passed from insurance companies to solicitors and claims companies, who then cold-call those involved in the accident to try and persuade them to claim compensation.

“The insurance industry must abandon sharp practices that push up premiums such as passing drivers’ personal data to other parties or taking secretive referral fees from solicitors, garages and car hire firms,” she explained.

Ms Ellman went on to say: “The threshold for receiving compensation in whiplash cases should be raised and, if the number of such claims does not fall significantly, the government should bring forward primary legislation to require objective evidence - both of a whiplash injury and of it having a significant effect on the claimant’s life - before compensation is paid.”

Commenting on the news, Simon Thompson, managing director at Precision Claims, said: "Because of the prevalence of false whiplash injury claims, those with genuine injuries are finding their cases are being taken less seriously.

"At Precision Claims, we understand that whiplash can have a hugely detrimental effect on victims’ lives, despite it being such a common injury. In some cases pain can remain for years, making it difficult for victims to work and get on with their lives after an accident.

“For this reason, we believe there needs to be an easier way for those genuinely suffering from whiplash to have their claims taken seriously, as well as a better chance of recovering the compensation they actually deserve.”

Precision Claims specialises in road traffic accident claims, as well as mis-sold PPI compensation claims and care home claims. For more information about the firm’s services, visit: http://www.precisionclaims.co.uk

Contact Information

Simon Thompson

Managing Director

Precision Claims

(44) (44) 0844 704 1945

Contact via E-mail