United Parcel Service (UPS), like any massive postal service company, specializes in delivering packages throughout the United States. It employs thousands of drivers across the country that have to meet tight deadlines. From time to time a careless driver loses concentration and an accident takes place. If you have been a victim of an accident with a delivery truck and it wasn’t your fault but you were injured you may be entitled to file a personal injury claim for the financial hardship you have to endure as a result of the accident. The first step of any PI claim is writing the demand letter.
What Should be Included in a Demand Letter
The demand letter is the key part of a PI claim so it’s important to get the facts right about the accident before sending the demand letter to their insurer. The demand letter should be written in clear, concise English and should include the following:
- how the accident with the mail truck happened
- the nature of the injuries
- contact details of eye witnesses.
In addition to this, the damages should be added to the demand letter with the exact amounts requested. This should include:
- the value of repairs to the vehicle;
- the amount paid for medical treatment so far;
- the expected cost of medical treatment in the future;
- loss of earnings so far and an estimate until returning to work (if it’s likely);
- an amount calculated for pain and suffering.
Process for Filing a PI Demand Letter
As soon as your attorney has written the demand letter it should be sent to their insurer. This is the only chance you have of including everything required for a satisfactory settlement. You won’t be able to alter the contents. What you have sent will be up for negotiation with the insurer.
Some insurers settle without question while others may take weeks to answer the demand letter and even longer to agree to a satisfactory settlement. The more information you have included and a good layout with easy to understand English will go a long way to getting the settlement you have requested. If there is any confusion you will be questioned and asked to justify it. You should have all the evidence available to prove who caused the accident.
Why You Need an Attorney
Any sensible person can write a demand letter as there are plenty of examples available on the internet but it’s better to get an experienced PI attorney to write the demand letter on your behalf. Their insurer will be far more familiar with the language and layout of a demand letter created by an attorney than yourself.
*Disclaimer
The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against UPS, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
