Recent changes to how whiplash claims are handled have made this more difficult for many people. However, the Ministry of Justice has recently announced a review of the whiplash reforms, including the Civil Liability Act 2018, and experts are calling for significant changes to restore fairness for accident victims.
Why Are the Whiplash Reforms Being Reviewed?
The whiplash reforms were introduced with the promise of reducing fraudulent claims, cutting insurance costs, and making the system more efficient. The reality, however, has been quite different.
The Motor Accident Solicitors Society (MASS), which represents specialists in road traffic accident claims across the UK, has welcomed this review as a crucial opportunity to highlight how the current system is failing injured people.
What’s Gone Wrong?
According to MASS Chair Sue Brown, “the current process is deeply flawed.” The organisation has identified serious concerns that many accident victims will recognise:
- Access to justice has been eroded – The reforms have created a system where there’s significant inequality between claimants and defendants, making it harder for ordinary people to get the compensation they deserve.
- The process is too complex – Many claimants are struggling to navigate complicated systems without proper legal representation. What was supposed to be simpler has actually become more confusing for those who need help most.
- Original objectives haven’t been met – The government set out 12 objectives for the reforms. According to MASS’s assessment, most of these have failed, including:
- Preserving claimants’ ability to access justice for low-value claims
- Reducing the overall cost of whiplash claims for insurers
- Reducing motor insurance premiums by £35 per year
- Operating effective online portals for processing claims
- Creating a frictionless and easy-to-use claims system
What Does This Mean for You?
If you’ve been injured in a road traffic accident, this review could lead to positive changes that make it easier for you to pursue a fair claim. But it also highlights why professional legal support is so important right now.
The current system has been designed in a way that can disadvantage people who don’t have expert guidance. Complex procedures, strict time limits, and technical requirements can trip up even the most determined claimant.
How We Can Help
Lisa Preece is a Partner in our expert Personal Injury team, which is ranked in Tier One by the independently researched publication, The Legal 500, and Commended in The Times Best Law Firms 2025. Lisa specialises in serious personal injury cases, including brain injury claims, accidents at work and inquests.
At Nelsons, we’ve been helping accident victims secure the compensation they deserve for many years. We understand the challenges created by the current system, and we’re here to guide you through every step of your claim.
We believe that if you’ve been injured through no fault of your own, you shouldn’t have to struggle against an unfair system. Our team will:
- Assess your claim and explain your options clearly
- Handle all the complex procedures on your behalf
- Fight to ensure you receive fair compensation
- Keep you informed throughout the process
The review of the whiplash reforms won’t happen overnight, but it represents an important opportunity to restore balance and fairness to the claims process. In the meantime, if you’ve been injured in a road traffic accident, don’t let the complexity of the current system put you off seeking the justice you deserve.
Please contact Lisa or another team member in Derby, Leicester or Nottingham on 0800 024 1976 or via our online enquiry form.
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