UK 'whiplash capital of Europe'

The UK passed a law several years ago allowing lawyers to charge on results rather than a fee based on time spent.  Unfortunately, amongst many other unintended consequences is this one.

From: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/insurance/motorinsurance/8522985/UK-whiplash-capital-of-Europe.html

Insurers have called for a clampdown on fraudulent whiplash claims which they say are driving up the cost of motor cover for honest motorists.

Rear-end shunts often result in costly claims for whiplash Photo: ALAMY

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) said the UK was now the "whiplash capital of Europe", with one out of every 140 people claiming for a whiplash injury each year.

It said the activities of ambulance chasing lawyers and claims management firms, as well as staged "cash for crash" accidents, were driving up the number of claims.

Whiplash occurs when the soft tissue in the spine is stretched and strained following a sudden forceful movement, such as being hit from behind in a car.

But it is often difficult to diagnose, while it is easy to fake or exaggerate, making claims for the injury a target for fraudsters.

Around 1,200 whiplash claims are made in the UK every day, six times more than the number of people who claim for workplace related injuries each year.