Thousands of Britons have suffered whiplash after being involved in a car accident, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) has announced.

According to the group, more than 1,200 people make a claim to cover costs associated with a neck injury picked up during a collision. In an effort to limit the number of people who suffer from the problem - and the financial impact that results from such accidents - ABI has called upon drivers, road safety organisations and the government to address the problem.

Whiplash may well leave people feeling they are in a restricted financial position too. For those who are off work for long periods in convalescence, it may be possible that meeting financial responsibilities such as mortgages, credit cards, bills and personal loan repayments becomes more difficult.

Meanwhile, the insurance industry spends billions of pounds in damages as a result of whiplash claims, the ABI claimed. During the course of 2007, insurers paid out more than two billion pounds in compensation to more than 430,000 victims. So too, the NHS incurs costs of eight million pounds every year in consultation fees for treating whiplash victims.

And while whiplash is a problem across the continent, the ABI has noted that the UK now has the highest number of claims for neck injury in Europe. More than three-quarters (75 per cent) of all personal injury claims on motor policies in Britain are for whiplash, compared to a continental average of 40 per cent.

In an effort to stem the number of motorists who have to make a claim, the group urged people to be mindful not to tailgate. So too, the group noted that it was important to make sure that head supports are properly adjusted to avoid exacerbating any potential damage should an accident occur.

Stephen Haddrill, the ABIs director general, commented: “Whiplash imposes unacceptable costs to individuals, businesses and the state. Insurers want to reduce whiplash, provide fast care and compensation and tackle fraudulent claims. But we cannot do this alone. We call on the government, road safety groups, the medical and legal professions and other stakeholders to work with us on a campaign to reduce this problem.”

Among the proposals set out by the group is an invigorated focus on the importance of maintaining safe stopping distances as part of driving instruction programmes for learner drivers, in addition to proper education about how to set headrests to the correct height and position at the point of sale.

For those who are looking to purchase a new vehicle in the coming months, taking out a car loan could prove an effective way to make such a purchase. Drivers could also put any spare cash provided by a loan towards a training course to make sure they are driving safely. This may be particular worthwhile after a recent study by moneysupermarket revealed that being involved in an accident deemed to be their own fault can have a serious financial impact on drivers car insurance premiums. Policies were found to rise as much as 60 per cent for those who found themselves in such a situation.

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