Whiplash is the most common road-accident injury in the UK. Here's how claims work under the current rules, and the fixed amounts that apply from 31 May 2025.
Whiplash is by far the most common injury after a road collision — it features in over 96% of injury claims made through the government's Official Injury Claim portal. Here's what it is, how a claim works, and what it's worth.
What is whiplash?
Whiplash is a neck injury caused by a sudden, forceful back-and-forth movement of the head — typically in a rear-end collision. Symptoms can take 24–72 hours to appear and often include neck pain and stiffness, headaches, shoulder or back pain, and reduced movement.
See a doctor first
Always get checked by a GP or A&E, both for your health and because a medical report is central to any injury claim. The report records your injuries and expected recovery time, which determines what your claim is worth.
The 2025 whiplash tariff
For accidents on or after 31 May 2025, most whiplash injuries are compensated on a fixed government tariff based on how long the injury lasts — from £275 for up to three months to £4,830 for 18–24 months. A slightly higher figure applies where there's also a minor psychological injury. You can see the full table on our UK accident statistics page.
What if my injury is more serious?
More serious or longer-lasting injuries fall outside the tariff and are valued individually, usually with a higher award. You can also claim separately for things the tariff doesn't cover, such as lost earnings and travel to appointments.
How Swift Assist helps
We arrange your medical assessment, value every part of your claim and pursue it on a no win, no fee basis. Call our claims line for a free, no-obligation assessment.
How the claim actually proceeds
Most whiplash claims now run through the government's Official Injury Claim portal — around 21,000 claims are started there every month, and 96.5% involve a whiplash element (OIC, 2025). The sequence is: report, medical assessment, tariff banding by recovery time, then settlement of the injury alongside your vehicle and out-of-pocket losses. A specialist handles the portal steps for you on a no win, no fee basis.
Why you shouldn't settle before the medical
The tariff jumps significantly between bands — £565 for symptoms lasting up to six months against £1,510 if they run past nine — so an early offer made before your recovery is medically assessed can cost you most of the claim's value. The medical report fixes the band; wait for it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 2025 whiplash tariff?+
For accidents on or after 31 May 2025, most whiplash injuries are compensated on a fixed government tariff based on how long the injury lasts — from £275 for up to three months to £4,830 for 18–24 months, with a slightly higher band where psychological injury is included.
Do I need a medical report to claim for whiplash?+
Yes. Always get checked by a GP or A&E — the medical report records your injuries and expected recovery time, and it determines what your claim is worth.
What if my injury is more serious than standard whiplash?+
Injuries that are more serious or last longer than 24 months fall outside the tariff and are valued individually, usually with a higher award. You can also claim separately for losses the tariff doesn’t cover, such as lost earnings and travel to treatment.
How common are whiplash claims?+
Whiplash features in over 96% of injury claims made through the government’s Official Injury Claim portal, making it by far the most common injury after a road collision.
Related on Swift Assist
Sources
About this guide. Written and reviewed by Swift Assist's claims specialists, who handle non-fault motor accident claims for UK drivers every day. Figures are taken from official UK sources and checked on publication. It is general information, not legal or financial advice. See our sourced UK statistics.