Damages assessed. R1, male, a technician in the RAF, and R2, female, a banker, aged 28 and 22 at the date of the accident and 29 and 24 at trial, suffered injuries as a result of a road traffic accident when the car in which they were travelling was hit from the rear by another vehicle. R1 sustained immediate pain in the neck which thereafter radiated down to the left shoulder, and symptoms of travel anxiety.

The pain in the neck was severe for three weeks and R1 consulted his GP on two occasions after the accident. He underwent two sessions of physiotherapy. R1 took no time off work. On examination 10 months after the accident he was described as 40 per cent recovered, and, although he had resumed his hobby of playing football, he still experienced discomfort when travelling on his motorbike for long journeys.

The symptoms of shock and travel anxiety dissipated within a few weeks. It was anticipated that all symptoms would resolve by 12 to 14 months of the accident. R2 was immediately shocked after the accident and one hour later began to experience pain in the neck and shoulder. She attended her GP a couple of weeks after the accident and was prescribed painkillers. R2 underwent four sessions of physiotherapy and acupuncture.

At the time of the medical examination five months after the accident that treatment was still continuing. On examination symptoms were described as 50 per cent improved, although she was experiencing intermittent headaches associated with the neck pain. The prognosis was that all symptoms would resolve by 9 to 12 months after the accident. She did not take any time off work. General Damages: R1: £2,300, R2: £2,000.