Government to crack down on whiplash claims THE GOVERNMENT has
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vowed to get tough on spiralling insurance premiums by setting up medical panels to assess whiplash claims.
The move comes after recovery firm boss Paul Jonathan Wright was found guilty of defrauding insurers out of Dm in crash-for-cash claims and added £100 per person to premiums in Derwentside, Co Durham.
The Ministry of Justice is consulting on proposals to improve injury assessment, as well as increasing the small claims court limit so that questionable claims can be challenged in court by insurers. The reform package also includes slashing the fees lawyers can make from uncontested claims by more than half.
"We are turning the tide on the compensation culture," said justice secretary Chris Grayling. "It's pushing up the cost of insurance and making it more expensive to drive a car or organise an event."
The UK has been branded the 'whiplash capital of Europe' after research published by the Association of British Insurers showed that 78% of personal injury claims following road accidents were for whiplash.