UK whiplash capital is a myth

Published: 08/05/2013

There has been a significant drop in the number of whiplash injury claims in the past year, according to the government’s own figures.

The figures, obtained following a freedom of information request by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) to the Department for Work and Pensions’ compensation recovery unit, revealed a decline of almost 60,000 whiplash claims.

In 2012/13 there were 488,281 whiplash claims reported in Great Britain, down from 547,405 the previous year.

This takes the amount of claims to its lowest number in four years and brings into question the validity of the government’s statement that the UK is the ‘whiplash capital of the world’ and the recent accident claims industry reforms.

Matthew Stockwell is the President of APIL:

“The transport committee inquiry finally presents a real chance to challenge hackneyed and groundless propaganda about whiplash-related injuries which has been promulgated by the insurance industry for far too long.

“This debate has been mired in myth and hyperbole for far too long.”

APIL have submitted the figures as part the group’s evidence to the House of Commons transport committee’s inquiry into whiplash.

Content correct at time of publication