One way to ensure you receive compensation for a car accident in Greenville is to understand what insurance adjusters will look into while evaluating an injury claim. This enables them to determine the monetary value of the case.
A car accident demand letter is the best way to fully account for the details of an accident and the damages incurred as a result. It is best to work with a reputable car accident lawyer with experience in handling injury claims, so your lawyer can draft your demand letters in a way that offers you the best chance for a favorable outcome.
Here are some best practices for an effective letter of demand for a car accident.
1. Organize and Itemize Your Expenses
An effective car accident settlement letter should organize and itemize your expenses, and enclose all of your bills, receipts and other documentation of out-of-pocket expenses that resulted from the accident. Insurance adjusters base their settlement offers on the expenses an injured person incurs due to the wreck. These expenses include medical bills, prescriptions for sustained injuries, loss of earnings, loss of personal property, and repair bills for damage to the vehicle.
Each case will be unique depending on the particular damages incurred. Gather all your medical reports, lost wages, and bills to show how much money you spent addressing the losses from your accident.
2. Describe the Facts
The demand letter should offer a complete explanation of your experience in the auto accident. You should assume the reader has no idea about what happened during the accident and the steps that followed.
Detail the time of the accident and how it occurred. Let the adjuster know what you were doing and how the at-fault driver approached your car. Whatever the accident’s circumstances, explain it as concisely as possible to the best of your ability. Include any information about the at-fault driver if available.
3. Share Your Perspective
Next, include any necessary details, such as how the pain began and presented. For example, if you can remember hitting your head or nose against the window or dashboard, include that on the demand letter. The medical records will document the treatment you required following the collision, so it’s important these details match up.
4. Describe Your Road to Recovery
Your demand letter should show the adjuster everything you experienced during and following the collision.
Explain when you started treatment, why you had to get it, and what your treatment entailed. Do this for the entire scope of treatment.
5. Request for A Reasonable Settlement Amount
After detailing the accident’s events, request specific amounts to compensate for your financial losses, such as medical bills, out-of-pocket expenses, and lost wages, as well as your non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering. An extremely high sum right off the bat may make the adjuster feel like your demand is overreaching. Consider requesting a realistic amount.
6. Review the Letter and Send It
Car accident demand letters should be reviewed for accuracy. Make sure the writing hasn’t gotten too wrapped up in emotion; remember that facts matter more. Speak to an attorney to ensure it includes everything that will make your claim successful, and leave out stuff that won’t sway the reader.
Get Expert Help to Write an Effective Demand Letter
At David R. Price, Jr., P.A., we have top-rated Greenville car accident lawyers who are dedicated to ensuring you receive fair compensation. We have a proven track record in helping car accident injury victims recover the compensation to which they are entitled, so they can resume their lives. Contact us today to get started.
Car Accident FAQs
What is the purpose of a demand letter?
A demand letter will present your case detailing the facts and details of a car accident, including the cost of medical treatments for the injuries from the crash. The letter should then propose the amount of money you are willing to accept to resolve the case.
What are the most essential elements of a demand letter?
Essential elements of a demand letter are the evidence that shows who is at fault, the damages you incurred, and the monetary value you deserve for compensation.
David Price is a Personal Injury, Civil Litigation, Collections, and Criminal Defense Attorney who practices in Greenville, SC. He graduated from the University of Georgia School of Law, and has been practicing law for 12 years. David Price believes in helping those who have been injured. Learn more about his experience by clicking here.
