Learn about the key points that should be included in a personal injury demand letter
If you have been injured due to the negligence of another party, you are most likely entitled to personal injury compensation. You may not be too excited about the prospect of going to court to fight for this compensation. Fortunately, the vast majority of personal injury cases are settled out of court.
The first step to securing an out-of-court settlement for your injuries and suffering is to compose a demand letter. The demand letter will be sent to the at-fault party and/or their insurance company to explain what happened to you and request payment for your damages. For best results, you will want to consult a personal injury attorney for help writing your demand letter.
Essential Elements of a Strong Demand Letter
Description of the Accident: Include a step by step account of what happened before, during, and immediately after the accident. Keep your account factual; do not interject your emotions or make any inflammatory comments.
Explanation of Fault: Be sure you clearly identify the at-fault party and explain how their actions caused the accident. Do not admit any wrongdoing on your part. Even if you did contribute to the accident, it is the insurance company’s responsibility to discover this. You don’t need to go into it.
Detailed Description of Your Injuries: Your demand letter should include a full description of your injuries and symptoms, as well as their impact on your life. It is important to be completely truthful and not shy away from discussing any of your injuries or symptoms, even if they are of a highly personal or embarrassing nature.
List of Damages: You should include a specific list of all the damages you have suffered as a result of the accident. This includes your medical bills as well as lost wages for any time your injury has kept you out of work. If your doctor has told you that you will require future surgeries or other treatments, include the estimated costs of these as well.
Reasonable Settlement Demand: Total up your damages and then double them. This will give you room to negotiate with the insurance company and still receive enough to cover all your expenses plus pain and suffering.
Supporting Documentation: Be sure to include copies of any and all documentation related to the accident and your damages, such as an accident report (in the case of a car accident), your medical bills, pay stubs (if you’ve missed work), etc.
Need Help?
If you have been injured and your find yourself facing the prospect of writing a demand letter, The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker can help. You can trust our experienced attorneys to help you understand the merits of your case and give you a reasonable idea of the amount of compensation it may be possible to achieve. You can hire us as your personal injury attorney at no upfront cost, and it is highly likely we will be able to secure more compensation for you than you could get on your own. Contact us at 800-333-0000 for a free consultation.
