Preventing whiplash injuries




Anyone who has suffered a whiplash injury in a road accident will appreciate how important it is to take all necessary precautions to avoid it happening again in the future. Whiplash associated disorders can sometimes persist for months, or even years after an accident, when by taking the simplest of precautions it could have been avoided.

In your car

Support your neck. A car with a headrest will significantly reduce your chances of receiving a severe whiplash injury, this is because the backward movement of your head and neck is resricted considerably, thus reducing and cushioning any sudden jolts. If your headrest is adjustable it important that it is also adjusted correctly (click here for more information). When buying a new car, ensure that the headrests are at least adjustable or at best incorporate whiplash prevention technology.

Whether driving or travelling as a passenger in the front or rear of the vehicle you should always wear a seat belt. Although the seat belt will not prevent whiplash, it will prevent your body from lurching forward and sustaining a more serious injury. It is now widely know that wearing a seatbelt reduces the chance of a fatality by more than 60%.


When driving

Always be aware of your position on the road. Many people still drive too close to the vehicle in front, consequently if they stop suddenly you do not have sufficient time to come a safe controlled stop. As a result you will have to either stop very sharply, or worse, hit the car in front - either way you may suffer a whiplash injury that could have easily been avoided.

As a rule of thumb it is a good idea to keep at least 2 seconds behind the vehicle in front (much longer in wet or icy conditions). This can be achieved by counting 'one two-thousand, two two-thousand' as the vehicle in front pases a landmark, and ensuring that you pass the same point after you have finished counting.

If you have sustained a whiplash injury and the accident was not your fault, you may be entitled to claim compensation. Please call us now on 02392 484 244 for help and advice from one of our experienced claims advisors.



No need to claim on your insurance

Anyone who has been involved in a road accident has the right to choose who repairs their vehicle. If you were responsible for the accident you were involved in, the company that insures your vehicle would normally deal with your accident claim.

However if you were not at-fault for the accident, you can choose to either claim on your own insurance policy or make a claim independently of your insurer. To find out more call 02392 484 244 and we will be happy to help.

We and our partners help thousands of people make independent accident claims. Our service enables motorists to get the help and assistance they need to resolve their accident related issues, with the costs being recovered directly from the at-fault driver on your behalf.

No excess to pay

Unfortunately even if an accident was not your fault, your insurer will almost certainly require you to pay your excess before any repair is started on your car.

This money should of course be recovered by an insurer at a later date, but with our service - you do not have to pay it at all.

By using our independent claims service, you are not making a claim on your insurance policy and so you will have no excess to pay.

Receive a comparable replacement hire vehicle

Not all insurance policies will include a replacement hire-car for you to use if yours is damaged and unroadworthy. In fact it is typically an 'optional extra' on your policy.

Other policies may offer a 'courtesy car' but this is often just a 'basic' saloon or hatchback which may not be suitable for your needs.

Car Call and its partners will provide a comparable replacement vehicle as part of our service. This means we will endeavour to supply a hire-vehicle that similar to your own in terms of its type, make and engine size.

So whether you drive a small hatchback or a prestige sports car, we will look to provide a similar hire-vehicle that suits your needs.

Manufacturer approved vehicle repairs

If you have been involved in a car accident, the last thing you want to have to worry about is the quality of the repairs to your car. We have a UK wide network of partner approved Accident Repair Centres available to all of our customers.

Many of our accident repair centres are have manufacturer approvals for specific brands, so if you require a manufacturer approved repair centre, simply tell your personal claim handler and they will ensure your vehicle goes to an approved repairer.

Want you vehicle repaired by a specific garage? No problem, we can alternatively use a repairer that you specify.

Legal Assistance

Our partner solicitors provide legal assistance as part of our service. They specialise in motor claims related issues, so you can be assured of the best possible advice and assistance.

They issues they can assist you with include:

  • Recovery of the cost of the replacement hire-vehicle
  • Recovery of the cost of uplifting your damaged vehicle
  • Recovery of all repair costs
  • Recovery of the cost of damaged of personal items
  • Seeking financial compensation for an injury