If you have been injured in an accident of any type you may be entitled to file a personal injury claim from the person who caused the accident. This is the only way you can be assured that you will not be under financial stress due to the effects of an accident that was not your fault.
You can’t expect a quick solution to any PI claim as the insurer of the person who caused the accident will be looking for any way to either reduce the amount you have filed for or even find a reason for not paying out at all. You may need to go to court to ensure you get the PI claim you deserve. This will mean your claim will take several months before it’s settled and paid out to you.
Settling With the Insurer the Fastest Way to Settle a PI Claim
To make things easy for yourself you may decide to accept what the insurer offers without going to court but you can’t expect to receive the full cost of your financial loss due to the injury. The insurer may offer you a lump sum for the wages you have lost without taking into account that it may be a long time before you can return to your normal duties at work.
You may find you can never return so you will be short of money to support your daily needs. Additionally, the insurer may be prepared to pay for any medical treatment already received without factoring in any future medical costs. Accepting what the insurer offers means you get a cash payout quickly but unless your physician has clearly outlined the length of time you will need to recover you won’t get the payment you deserve.
Features of a Demand Letter for a PI Claim
If you have been hurt in an accident which was caused by someone else, it’s sensible to compile a demand letter which you submit to the at-fault party's insurer. In this letter you should write in detail how the accident happened, what the damage and injuries are and ask for a payment that covers your financial cost of the injury. You should include police reports concerning the accident and that everything you did was aimed at avoiding the accident and you were in no way at fault.
When it comes to your injuries, you should concentrate on those that will take a long time to heal and may even never heal completely. You must include a list of all your medical expenses and how much you have been charged so far. If you are off work you will need to include how much time you have spent so far not working and the likely time into the future. Your employer should provide you with a letter that indicates how much time you have been off work and how much your pay is.
When it comes to the total amount required you should be generous with the amount so you have some room for negotiation. All the claims you make should be supported by the relevant documentation including medical reports and records, medical bills, police reports and confirmation of salary or wages that has been signed by your employer.
The Role of an Attorney in a Personal Injury Claim
No one likes to go to court, so in a PI claim it’s normally easier to settle out of court with the insurer. This is the fastest route to settlement, but doesn’t necessarily reap the best return. If you hire a PI attorney you will get the best help possible in getting the PI claim you deserve, even if it means going to court.
Here is more information on settling a personal injury claim with specific companies:
