A report in the UK claims that post accident stress is fast becoming the new whiplash as law firms seek to replace business based on compensation claims to for whiplash injuries after a government crackdown.

Insurers say they are becoming increasingly concerned about claims for post accident stress related injuries. Some solicitors are claiming that one in five accident victims suffer ‘acute stress syndrome’ triggered by horrific memories of a crash.

Paul Evans, chief executive of insurance company AXA in the UK commented, “This is a worrying trend as, like whiplash, stress is nearly impossible to prove from a medical point of view so it’s difficult to tell which claims are fraudulent and which are genuine.”

The UK government announced a crackdown on claims management companies in a bid to drive down car insurance premiums in April. Many claims management companies have closed because of this, but others are clearly seeking alternatives to whiplash injury claims which were their main source of income.