Whiplash claims explained: symptoms, the 2025 tariff and what you can claim

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.