Suffering a whiplash injury can be a painful experience, both physically and financially. If your whiplash injury is severe then it may prevent you from working and doing everyday tasks like driving and taking the kids to school.

So what is whiplash?

Whiplash is a common injury resulting from road and traffic accidents. During a car accident for example, the body goes forward then backward then forward again. The acceleration of the vehicle then the deceleration causes this effect and the subsequent damage to the neck.

The symptoms of whiplash generally start showing up within 48 hours of the incident. The common symptoms include neck and shoulder stiffness, a feeling of being unsteady or dizzy, fatigue, pain in the face and nausea.

Recovering from a whiplash injury usually takes between 3 and 6 months but can be much longer if the injury is severe. This is when it can start to hit you in the pocket.

If you have a forgiving employer or have some form of insurance in place then you may be able to take paid leave until you are able to return to work. If you don't then you may find yourself counting the cost of your injury.

A severe whiplash injury can keep you off work for a significant amount of time. But it's not only the work situation you have to worry about. You probably won't be able to drive, walk properly and do basic chores like take the kids to school, clean the house or go shopping. You may need paid help to get you through the period.

However, all is not lost. Depending on the circumstances of your accident you may be able to claim compensation. Not only could you claim compensation for your injuries but also for any loss of earnings, medical care and other out of pocket expenses.

It is especially common for such claims to be made where the injury was caused in a road accident. The third party driver may be liable through their insurance to cover your claim.

If you or someone you know has suffered a whiplash injury recently or in the last few years then a compensation claim may be valid. You should contact a specialist law firm who can help you get what you rightfully deserve.