After you have been in a car accident, you must jump through a series of hoops to get the compensation you need for your injury.
It is important you follow all the steps required to successfully receive compensation for your claim. The demand letter is the first step in the process.
You can do this alone, but it always helps to have the assistance of an attorney to make sure you are doing everything properly.
We have asked an attorney, Alaina Sullivan, about drafting a demand letter. Here is what she had to says:
What Is a Demand Letter?
The demand letter is the first step in the process. It gets the negotiation process initiated. You send the demand letter to the insurance company with your official “demand” for how much you want in compensation.
The demand letter is the main star of the negotiation process, so it is important that you do everything properly.
You need to state which party is legally responsible, the injuries each individual is facing, the medical treatment needed, if any, any income lost, and any damages sustained.
Why Is a Demand Letter Important?
Since this letter is the starting point and will be the focus of pretty much the entire negotiation process, you need to state your case clearly and persuasively. You need to do your best to show why you should be getting all the damages you are requesting.
It needs to be a solid argument, one strong enough to convince the insurance company that you are being reasonable and have a strong enough case that, if they chose to not settle, you would be successful in court.
Attorneys happen to be persuasive by nature. Have that assistance in writing your letter and crafting your demand can add that extra bit of power to your argument.
Having an attorney’s name on the letterhead will give you an extra boost of authority as well as an extra edge.
Asking for the Right Things
Unless you have done this sort of thing before, you may be asking for too much or not enough, and you could be shooting yourself in the foot from the very beginning. A personal injury attorney knows the right amount of money you should be seeking for your injury, and he or she can help in dealing with insurance companies on similar cases.
Getting the assistance of a professional can help you in properly formatting your request.
Avoiding Denials
It does not happen frequently, but occasionally, the insurance company can deny your request. If you are asking something completely unreasonable or are leaving out information that is vital to your claim, it could easily get your claim denied.
One easy way to avoid this fate is to seek the assistance of a professional in preparing your demand letter.
It is for this reason that contacting an attorney is always a good decision.
Contact an Attorney Today
If you are the victim of an accident and want to prepare a demand letter to begin the negotiation process, you should speak with an attorney to discuss your case. A licensed personal injury attorney will be able to evaluate your case and determine if you have a claim against the other party’s insurance company.
To receive the compensation for your medical bills, property damages, and pain and suffering, you should speak with a personal injury attorney in your area today.
