Whiplash news -
26/08/2009

Scottish woman seeks compensation for police car accident

A woman from Glasgow who sustained whiplash in a car accident caused by police is seeking to claim compensation for her neck injury.

Speaking to the Sunday Mail she expressed her anger at the reaction of the police officers involved in the crash. "The police van came right through a red light, overtaking a line of waiting cars and straight into me," she said.

"I didn't stand a chance. My car spun round, hitting other cars - all hell broke loose. I was terrified I'd been paralysed because I'd been hit so hard.

"But one officer looked in the car window, swore and said, 'There's nothing wrong with her, just a bit of whiplash'.

"I was stunned. I was the victim and they were treating me as if I'd done something wrong."

Her anger and surprise only increased when police arrived at the hospital to administer the woman a breathalyser test. "I hadn't been drinking at all but I was in agony because my breastbone had been fractured and I was having difficulties breathing because of the pain.

"Even after the doctors told them to go away until they had assessed my injuries, the police kept persisting until I had no choice but to take the test.

"It was very painful trying to breathe into the machine and I had five or six attempts before I managed it. It was a very callous way to treat a victim and I've yet to hear anyone say they're sorry.

"I've tried to find out why the police were driving like that, if they were chasing someone, but I've had no real explanation.

"What if it had been a mum pushing a pram, or a bus full of school kids at that junction?

"I didn't see any flashing lights or hear any sirens."

Police have said it would be "inappropriate to comment" on the car crash, as they are currently facing a whiplash compensation claim from the woman.