Demand Letters: How to Get Paid After an Accident
Some accident victims are surprised to find out that they may not necessarily have to sue anyone to get paid. If the other driver caused the accident and you are hurt badly enough to seek medical help, then you are probably owed money damages. However, you might be offered a settlement in a matter of weeks instead of months and it won't involve stepping into a courtroom. To learn how your lawyer will kick things off with a short but powerful letter to the other side, read below.
Demand Letters Take Things Up a Notch
You may already be tired of dealing with the other person's insurance company. It's no secret that the at-fault driver's insurance company has little to no incentive to pay you what they owe. You can call them, wait for return calls that never come, and even put up with unpaid medical bills that threaten your credit score while you wait for the money they owe you. There is no need to put up with any of that. Instead, speak to a personal injury lawyer about your case and note how nice it can be to shed your burden and focus on recuperating. The demand letter is one of your lawyer's first moves and it serves to immediately get the attention of the other driver's insurer.
How Much Money Do You Deserve?
The shining star of any demand letter is the demand. That means you and your lawyer will take a look at a number of factors and come up with a sum of money you think they owe you. This number is comprised of your damages, such as:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Wrecked vehicle
The sum of money arrived at also takes into consideration these factors:
- Your age, occupation, and education.
- Other settlements in your local area.
- Whether or not you suffered from a permanent injury.
Also, your lawyer will add some wiggle room to the sum demanded as negotiations get started.
What Else Fits Into the Demand Letter?
You must also give the insurer and driver a few hints about your case to give them something to think about. A sampling of your evidence, for example, should do the trick. Along with that, mentioning that you were definitely not at fault for the accident and their client was is a must. Finally, a list of damages that make up the demand is included.
Get your own demand letter on its way to the insurance company by visiting a personal injury lawyer today.