Pressure On Government Over False Claims

The Governement has been urged to introduce measures that will bring about a clampdown on false whiplash claims, as it is costing the nation millions in unjust funds.

Over the past few years, in conjunction with the rising fad that is compensation claims in the UK, some undesirables have staged car crashes in order to manufacture a situation, where they will be able to make a claim due to injury. This practise can mean that millions of pounds are being lost every year.

The accidents are manufactured by a driver breaking sharply at a roundabout or junction hoping to get hit from behind by a following vehicle. They also try to fill the car with as many passengers in order to receive the maximum claim for each traveller.

Rise
According to latest figures form The Insurance Fraud Bureau, (IFB) there have been around 22,600 false vehicle accidents since the 2000, with each accident capable of a compensation claim of £30,000.

The Labour party and in particular the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, have come under pressure from the opposition, who are eager to force a change of thinking.

Conservative MP, Richard Bacon said: "It has been a very low risk crime with a very high reward, and so unsurprisingly it has grown very rapidly."

He also added: "Insurers believe the proceeds are now being routinely used to fund other forms of serious, organised crime including drug trafficking, money laundering and other frauds."

Counter measures
One way for insurers to fight back maybe considered slightly left of field. Scientists are working on a hi tech system which can reveal if neck muscles have really been damaged in a collision.

The PR manager for Ecclesiastical Insurance, says this about the project: "The value of this motion analysis is that it has the potential to introduce proper scientific measurement into an area ruled by opinions and arguments. As well as being used to detect fraudulent whiplash claims, it could be used in the workplace to pinpoint which muscles are under strain, and help lead to healthier working conditions and less personal injury compensation claims overall."

Mandy Roshier, a PhD student at Nottingham University who is heading the research stated: "Car insurance companies want to see evidence of injury before paying out, and those suffering want answers."

Malcolm Tarling spokesperson for ABI responded to the news, when he said: "Fraud pushes up premiums for honest motorists, and makes it harder for genuine sufferers to get help. Anything that aids diagnosis is good for those with real muscle damage."