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Guide · Car accidents
Whiplash Claims: How Much Can I Claim?
For road accidents on or after 31 May 2025, whiplash lasting up to 2 years is compensated using fixed tariff amounts: from £275 for up to 3 months to £4,830 for 18 to 24 months, or up to £4,975 with a minor psychological injury. In exceptional cases, a court can increase this by up to 20%. Financial losses, such as lost earnings, are claimed on top. Whiplash lasting longer than 2 years, and other injuries, are valued individually.
Whiplash is the most common injury from road accidents. This guide explains how the whiplash tariff works, what you can claim on top of it, and when you can get more.
- Accidents before 31 May 2025
- Lower 2021 amounts apply
- Exceptional cases
- Up to 20% more
- Financial losses
- Claimed on top
- Lasting over 2 years
- Valued individually
What counts as whiplash?
Under the Civil Liability Act 2018, whiplash is a soft tissue injury to the neck, back or shoulder, such as a sprain, strain or tear of a muscle, tendon or ligament. It often happens in rear-end collisions, when your head is thrown forwards and backwards.
Common symptoms include neck pain and stiffness, shoulder pain, headaches, dizziness, and numbness or tingling in the arms. Symptoms often start hours or days after the accident.
Not every neck or back injury is whiplash in law. Fractures, disc prolapses and nerve damage fall outside the definition and are valued using the Judicial College Guidelines instead. See soft tissue injury claims.
How the whiplash tariff works
The tariff applies to drivers and passengers of cars and other motor vehicles (not motorbikes) whose whiplash lasts up to 2 years.
Based on how long it lasts
The amount depends on how long a medical expert says your injury lasts or is expected to last. A claim can't be settled without a medical report from an expert accredited through MedCo.
Two sets of amounts
One for whiplash only, and a slightly higher one if you also had a minor psychological injury, such as travel anxiety or disturbed sleep.
Which amounts apply
The current amounts apply to accidents on or after 31 May 2025. Accidents from 31 May 2021 to 30 May 2025 use the lower 2021 amounts.
Up to 20% more
A court can increase the amount by up to 20% if your injury was exceptionally severe, or your circumstances made it exceptionally hard on you. For example, £4,830 could rise to as much as £5,796.
What can you claim on top of the tariff?
The tariff only covers your pain, suffering and loss of amenity. You can also claim for financial losses caused by the accident, with no fixed limit, as long as they can be shown. These can include:
- Lost earnings, including overtime and bonuses
- Physiotherapy, osteopathy, prescriptions and other treatment
- Counselling or therapy for psychological effects
- Travel to medical appointments
- Vehicle repairs, your insurance excess and, in some cases, a hire car
- Care and help from family while you recovered
Keep every receipt, payslip and bank statement from the day of the accident. See general and special damages.
When can you get more than the tariff?
Lasting more than 2 years
Whiplash that lasts longer than 2 years falls outside the tariff and is valued individually using the Judicial College Guidelines.
Other injuries
Injuries that aren't whiplash, such as fractures, knee or head injuries, are valued separately using the guidelines.
Psychological conditions
A recognised condition, such as PTSD or a travel phobia, goes beyond a minor psychological injury and is valued separately.
Mixed injuries
If you have whiplash and other injuries, each is valued, and then the court checks the total is fair overall. The Supreme Court set out this approach in Hassam v Rabot in 2024.
The Official Injury Claim service
The Official Injury Claim service is the government's free online service for lower-value road traffic injury claims. Since 31 May 2021, adult drivers and passengers whose injuries are worth £5,000 or less usually claim through it, and it's designed so you can claim without a solicitor. It's run by the Motor Insurers' Bureau.
Getting advice is more likely to help if:
- The other driver or their insurer denies blame
- You have other injuries as well as whiplash
- Your symptoms have lasted, or are expected to last, more than 2 years
- You've had a significant psychological reaction
- You're not sure an offer covers everything you've lost
How to make a whiplash claim
1. Get checked
See your GP or go to A&E or a minor injuries unit as soon as you can, and explain how the accident happened.
2. Gather evidence
Photos, the other driver's details, witness details and dashcam footage. See evidence for a car accident claim.
3. Tell your insurer
Report the accident to your own insurer, even if you're not claiming on your policy. If someone is hurt and you couldn't exchange details, report it to the police within 24 hours.
4. Get advice
We'll tell you which route your claim is likely to take and whether you have other losses you could claim for.
5. The medical report
An accredited medical expert examines you and reports on your injury and how long it's likely to last.
6. Settlement
Your claim is valued and negotiated with the insurer. Most whiplash claims settle without going to court.
Compensation guide
How much compensation could I get for whiplash?
For whiplash injuries to the neck, back or shoulder lasting up to 2 years, the amounts are fixed by law. For accidents on or after 31 May 2025, they are:
| How long the injury lasts | Whiplash only | With minor psychological injury |
|---|---|---|
| Not more than 3 months | £275 | £300 |
| 3 to 6 months | £565 | £595 |
| 6 to 9 months | £965 | £1,025 |
| 9 to 12 months | £1,510 | £1,595 |
| 12 to 15 months | £2,335 | £2,435 |
| 15 to 18 months | £3,445 | £3,550 |
| 18 to 24 months | £4,830 | £4,975 |
Whiplash lasting longer than 2 years, and other injuries, are valued using the Judicial College Guidelines. Indicative ranges include:
| Injury type | Severity | Indicative compensation range |
|---|---|---|
| Whiplash / neck injurySymptoms lasting longer, or needing ongoing treatment | Moderate (ongoing symptoms) | £5,750 – £33,020 |
| Back injuryDisc, ligament or muscle damage with longer-lasting symptoms | Moderate | £16,520 – £51,230 |
| Shoulder injurySoft tissue damage, frozen shoulder or restricted movement | Minor to moderate | £5,750 – £16,870 |
| Knee injuryTwisting, bruising or ligament injuries, including some ongoing aching | Minor to moderate | Up to £34,600 |
| Wrist injuryFractures or soft tissue injuries, with or without lasting stiffness | Minor to moderate | £4,670 – £32,370 |
How to read these figures
- The tariff amounts are set by the Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021, as updated for accidents on or after 31 May 2025. Lower amounts apply to accidents before that date. A court can increase them by up to 20% in exceptional circumstances.
- All other figures are taken from the Judicial College Guidelines (18th edition, April 2026).
- These are for pain, suffering and loss of amenity only. You can also claim for financial losses, such as lost earnings and treatment.
- Every claim is different. The amount you receive depends on your medical evidence and circumstances, and past results don't guarantee future outcomes.
Whiplash claims: FAQs
How much can I claim for whiplash?
For accidents on or after 31 May 2025, whiplash lasting up to 2 years is compensated using fixed amounts from £275 for up to 3 months to £4,830 for 18 to 24 months. With a minor psychological injury, the range is £300 to £4,975. Financial losses are claimed on top, and whiplash lasting longer than 2 years is valued individually.
What is the whiplash tariff?
It's a set of fixed compensation amounts, set by law, for whiplash injuries from road accidents that last up to 2 years. The amount depends on how long the injury lasts, as set out in a medical report.
Can I get more than the tariff amount?
Yes, in some cases. A court can increase the tariff by up to 20% in exceptional circumstances. Whiplash lasting more than 2 years, other injuries and recognised psychological conditions are valued separately using the Judicial College Guidelines, which can mean more compensation.
What can I claim on top of the whiplash tariff?
Your financial losses, such as lost earnings, treatment and physiotherapy costs, travel to appointments, vehicle costs and care from family. These need to be supported by receipts, payslips or other records.
Do I need a solicitor for a whiplash claim?
Not always. If your injuries are worth £5,000 or less, you can usually claim yourself through the Official Injury Claim service. Advice is more likely to help if blame is disputed, you have other injuries, your symptoms last more than 2 years or you're unsure about an offer.
How long do I have to make a whiplash claim?
You usually have 3 years from the date of the accident to start court proceedings. For children, the 3 years doesn't start until they turn 18. See how long you have to claim.
Hurt in a car accident?
Talk to our team for free, with no obligation. We'll look at your injuries and give you an honest view of your claim and how it's likely to be valued. Eligible claims are handled on a No Win No Fee basis.