Whiplash Claims Crackdown Promised by Government

Drivers who have have been left with whiplash following an accident may soon find that it becomes more difficult to prove their injuries and get the compensation they are entitled to, but there is legal assistance at hand.

Under new measures designed to lower the number of fraudulent whiplash claims made each year – which are known to push up insurance premiums for honest motorists – it will be more difficult for out of court settlements to be made with insurers, and medical evidence showing injury will have to meet with tougher rules.

The new measures follow a promise by prime minister David Cameron to tackle Britain’s “compensation culture”.

Commenting after the measures were announced justice secretary Ken Clarke said it is “scandalous” that the current system makes it more affordable for insurers to settle “spurious” claims out of court than defend them.

“We are making it quicker, cheaper and easier for valid injury claims to be dealt with through the small claims court, ensuring that those people who have genuinely suffered whiplash get fair compensation,” he noted.

Road traffic accident solicitor at Clear Law Padraig Conway said: “Here at Clear Law we will always welcome measures which are going to help honest motorists to get the compensation they deserve following an accident, and which at the same time ensure that bogus claims are quickly thrown out. Lowered insurance premiums would also be a much needed boost to all drivers.”

Many honest motorists are hit by accusations of putting forward dubious claims due to the general habit of insurers defending cases on the basis that an incident occurred at a low velocity and had minimal impact – however, as the seriousness of injuries does not always directly link to the velocity of a crash, genuinely injured claimants can be left vulnerable.

Earlier this year transport secretary Justine Greening dubbed Britain “the whiplash capital of Europe”, and highlighted the number of whiplash claims made each and every day – in excess of 1,500.

Earlier this month, Greening urged motorists to fit black boxes to their car to help them drive safely and reduce their insurance premiums. The technology can help to track speed, braking and cornering and speaking to the Daily Mail, Amy Kilmartin from Co-op Insurance said that people with black box insurance are “genuinely driving better than those without it”.

http://www.clearlawonline.co.uk is a reputable legal firm with a wealth of experience in dealing with legitimate whiplash claims, helping clients to get the compensation they are entitled to following an incident.

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Andrew Kwan

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Clear Law Solicitors

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