We are widely recognised for our specialist expertise in whiplash and car accident claims, and are respected by judges, insurers and fellow solicitors across Belfast and throughout Northern Ireland as a leading legal team in this field.
Why Choose Lacey Solicitors
to deal with your Car Accident Claim
Specialists in Whiplash Claims
Road Traffic Accident Expertise
Our solicitors handle personal injury claims arising from road traffic collisions across Northern Ireland, ranging from minor impacts to the most serious and life-changing accidents.
Recognised Standards of Service
Our solicitors are members of the Law Society of Northern Ireland and the Law Society of Ireland. We are Lexcel accredited and have been nominated for awards at the LEAP Irish Law Awards, all of which demonstrate our consistently high standards and strong track record.
Local Knowledge That Matters
we provide advice informed by insurer attitudes, latest court judgments and proven winning strategies.
Straightforward and Supportive Approach
We manage the claims process from start to finish, dealing with insurers and medical evidence while keeping you informed at every stage.
Clear Communication, Real Access
You will deal with a dedicated solicitor who is available to answer questions and guide you through your car accident injury claim.
What is whiplash?
Whiplash is a common neck injury caused by a sudden and forceful movement of the head, most often during a road traffic accident. It is frequently associated with rear end collisions but can occur in any type of car accident in Belfast or across Northern Ireland.
A whiplash injury affects the soft tissues of the neck, including muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Symptoms can vary from person to person and may not appear straight away.
Common symptoms of whiplash include neck pain and stiffness, reduced range of motion, headaches that often start at the base of the skull, shoulder or upper back pain, and tingling or numbness in the arms. Some people also experience fatigue, dizziness, or difficulty concentrating.
Symptoms can develop hours or even days after a car accident. It is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible following an accident in Northern Ireland. A medical assessment supports your recovery and can also provide important evidence if you choose to make a Belfast whiplash claim.
Whiplash and car accident injury claims in Northern Ireland
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Belfast or elsewhere in Northern Ireland, you may be able to make a whiplash or personal injury claim. Even minor collisions can lead to lasting symptoms that disrupt everyday life.
Lacey Solicitors has experience handling whiplash claims arising from road traffic accidents. We deal with insurers on your behalf, arrange medical evidence, and provide clear guidance throughout the process.
Typical compensation for whiplash claims in Northern Ireland
Compensation for whiplash claims in Northern Ireland depends on the individual circumstances of each case. Factors such as the severity of the injury, how long symptoms last, and the overall impact on day to day life will all be taken into account.
Courts in Northern Ireland commonly refer to the Green Book, which is a set of judicial guidelines used to help assess compensation levels for personal injury claims. The figures below are provided as a general guide only and do not represent guaranteed outcomes.
Minor whiplash injuries
Guideline figures of up to £17,500
These cases may involve symptoms that persist for a period of time but typically resolve without permanent effects.
Moderate whiplash injuries
Broad guideline figures in the region of £15,000 to £40,000
Moderate injuries can involve more prolonged pain, restricted movement, and a longer recovery period, sometimes extending up to two years.
Severe whiplash injuries
Indicative guideline figures that may extend to £75,000
Severe whiplash injuries may involve significant limitation of movement and long-term or permanent symptoms that affect everyday activities.
Any assessment of compensation will always be based on medical evidence and the specific details of your injury. Your solicitor will explain how the Green Book guidelines may apply to your individual case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whiplash is a soft-tissue injury to the neck, and sometimes the upper back or shoulders, caused by a sudden acceleration–deceleration movement of the head and neck. This rapid back-and-forth motion, most commonly occurring during car accidents in Belfast or Northern Ireland, forces the neck beyond its normal range of movement and places strain on the muscles, ligaments, and tendons of the cervical spine.
Common symptoms include neck pain and stiffness, headaches, reduced range of movement, shoulder pain, dizziness, and fatigue. Symptoms may develop immediately or emerge hours or days after the accident.
As always, health and safety first. If anyone is injured, seek medical attention immediately by contacting PSNI, emergency services, your GP, or attending A&E. Even minor injuries should be checked, as whiplash symptoms can develop later. A contemporaneous medical record can be helpful if you later decide to claim for compensation.
Yes. You can claim compensation if you’ve suffered a neck, back or shoulder soft-tissue injury in a car accident in Belfast or Northern Ireland where another driver is at fault. This is the same whether you were a driver or passenger in a vehicle. Even being partly at fault doesn’t always prohibit you from making a claim.
Whiplash is an extremely common injury following road traffic accidents in Northern Ireland. A solicitor can review the circumstances of your accident and explain whether a claim is possible.
Regardless of fault and only if it is safe to do so, you should exchange details with the other party. You must obtain:
- Name and address
- Vehicle registration number
- Vehicle owner’s details (if different)
It is also useful to have:
- Photos of the vehicles and the accident location
- Your insurer’s name and policy number
- A copy of your insurance certificate
If there are witnesses, their contact details may assist later. If you are unable to gather all information at the scene, your solicitor can help obtain it afterwards.
Yes. Your insurer will usually require you to report any collision, regardless of fault or whether you intend to make a claim. Your insurance policy will usually direct you to report any incident that may give rise to a claim. We recommend speaking to your solicitor first, who can usually handle these communications on your behalf.
You should speak to a solicitor as soon as possible after the accident. Regardless of any injury or whiplash you are feeling, early legal advice helps protect your position, ensures key evidence is preserved, and allows you to deal with insurers correctly from the outset.
If you are not injured your solicitor can deal with the damage to your vehicle. If you are injured then your solicitor can explain the whiplash claims process in Northern Ireland, arrange medical evidence, and deal with insurers while you focus on your recovery.
To be successful in your claim, the solicitor must prove that your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, such as another driver.
Your solicitor will look to obtain key evidence such as medical reports, accident details, witness statements, and photographs. Your solicitor will gather and assess the evidence needed to support your claim as each claim is different.
A solicitor will typically rely on medical records and reports, photographs of the vehicles, damage and accident location, witness statements, police reports (where applicable), vehicle damage and repair records, and insurance details and correspondence when progressing a road traffic accident claim.
Lacey Solicitors will guide you through the process and obtain the necessary evidence on your behalf if you do not have the information readily available.
Yes. Whiplash symptoms frequently develop gradually and may not be felt immediately after a road traffic accident.
A medical assessment can help confirm the injury and link it to the accident. A solicitor can then advise on whether you may be able to proceed with a whiplash claim in Northern Ireland.
Personal injury claims in Northern Ireland are subject to strict time limits. These can vary depending on the circumstances of the accident and the age of the injured person but generally a claim should be made within 3 years from the date of the incident.
Because deadlines can be complex, it is important to seek advice as early as possible to ensure your Belfast whiplash claim is not affected by time restrictions.
No. The whiplash reforms introduced in England and Wales in 2021 do not apply in Northern Ireland.
Whiplash claims in Northern Ireland continue to be assessed under the local legal system and are not subject to the same tariff-based compensation scheme which is why local knowledge from a Belfast based solicitor is they key to a successful injury claim.
No. Northern Ireland law explicitly bans solicitors from charging fees that are solely dependent on the success of a claim. As such, No Win, No Fee arrangements are illegal in Northern Ireland, and this rule is strictly enforced by the Law Society of Northern Ireland.
If a solicitor in Belfast or anywhere in Northern Ireland offers a No Win, No Fee agreement, they are acting outside the law. Instead we offer clear stress free funding arrangements depending on your circumstances.
A solicitors professional fees are governed by various statutes. There are expenses on top of that such as medical fees, barristers, engineers etc.
If your whiplash claim is successful, it is common for legal fees and expenses to be paid by the defendant’s insurer.
Lacey Solicitors will explain costs in clear, straightforward terms before your claim proceeds.
Most whiplash and car accident injury claims in Belfast and across Northern Ireland are resolved without the need for court proceedings.
If court action becomes necessary, your solicitor will explain the process clearly and represent you throughout.
You are not legally required to use a solicitor. However, having an experienced whiplash solicitor can help ensure your injuries, financial losses, and ongoing symptoms are fully considered.
Insurance companies may make early settlement offers that do not reflect the full impact of your injury. A solicitor can assess any offer and protect your interests.
Lacey Solicitors specialise in whiplash and car accident claims arising in Northern Ireland.
If your accident occurred outside Northern Ireland, different legal rules may apply and we may not be able to assist. Lacey Solicitors have dual qualified lawyers that also act in the Republic of Ireland but this can be discussed during an initial consultation.
Our team has extensive experience handling whiplash and car accident injury claims throughout Northern Ireland.
We focus on building strong, well-evidenced cases, managing negotiations with insurers, and guiding clients through the process with clarity, care, and professionalism.
Recent Road
Traffic Collision
Case Studies in
Northern Ireland
Lacey Solicitors handle road traffic collision compensation claims across Northern Ireland with care, precision, and detailed knowledge of local law. The examples here are from concluded cases and are shared for general information only.
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Choose Lacey Solicitors for whiplash claims in Belfast and Northern Ireland
Lacey Solicitors has extensive experience handling whiplash claims across Belfast and Northern Ireland. We understand how disruptive neck injuries can be and the impact they can have on your work, wellbeing, and daily life, which is why we take a careful and supportive approach to guiding clients through the personal injury claims process.
If you have suffered a whiplash injury following a road traffic accident in Belfast or elsewhere in Northern Ireland, you do not need to handle it on your own. You can start with an initial consultation and speak with a solicitor experienced in whiplash and car accident injury claims. Our team is here to explain your options clearly, manage the claims process on your behalf, and support you at every stage as you focus on your recovery.
To discuss your situation, you can contact Lacey Solicitors at our Belfast office on +44 28 9089 6540, visit our contact page, or speak to a member of our team at our Belfast or Dublin offices.
