Auto accidents can happen – even if you happen to be hit by another driver while you’re parked in your car. To make up for some of the damages due to medical bills and lost wages caused by any injuries, you can file a personal injury claim with the insurance company of the other driver.
The first step in this process is to write a demand letter and send it to the insurance company. This letter should be as detailed as possible, as it will be referred to often throughout the negotiation of your claim. Be sure to include any relevant medical records and a detailed account of the incident.
Sample Demand Letter
This sample demand letter will show you the information and details you should include in a demand letter of your own.
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your City, State, and Zip Code]
[The Date]
[Name of the Claims Adjuster]
[Their Job Title]
[Address of the Insurance Company]
[City, State, and Zip Code of the Insurance Company]
Re: Your Insured, [Name of the Defendant]
Claimant: [Your Full Legal Name]
Claim Number: (Only include this number if a claim number has already been assigned to you, and you have already been contacted about the matter.)
Date of Loss: [Date of Accident or Incident in which the Collision Took Place]
Dear Mr./Mrs. [Name of Claims Adjuster],
Please accept this letter as my formal demand for compensation in the matter that was mentioned in our previous correspondence on December 4, 2015.
I have recently finished treatment for my injuries caused by your insured, Ms. Rhonda Carson. As you are aware, Ms. Carson neglected to stop at a red light on Reed Street in [insert location], causing her to swerve to avoid hitting another car and hit the side of my parked car while I was inside. Therefore, she is negligent and responsible for my injuries.
On October 28, 2015, I was parked on the side of the road on Reed Street after getting a cup of coffee in one of the shops. Mrs. Carson swerved and hit my car. The force of the collision caused my car to jerk to the side and a sharp pain in my neck.
Because of my stiff neck, I was driven by a friend to Granville Memorial Hospital, where I was diagnosed with a sprained neck by the ER physician, Dr. Francine Cole. Dr. Cole treated my sprained neck with a brace, x-rays, and a prescribed pain medication [name the medication]. She also recommended that I stay home from my job at Health N’ Save Grocers for one week to rest and recover from my injuries.
The attached bills further outline the cost of my medical care, including:
Granville Memorial Hospital: $325.00
Dr. Francine Cole: $298.00
X-Rays: $158.00
Pain Medication: $77.00
Neck Brace: $24.00
TOTAL: $882.00
Due to the negligence of your insured, Ms. Carson, I experienced severe pain and had to miss work for a week, in which I lost out on $750.00 of my hourly wage. This prevented me from being able to cover my bills and living expenses for that week. Because of this, I am requesting compensation in the amount of $3,000.00.
I hope to hear from you in a timely manner of no more than 30 days from the reception of this correspondence.
[Your Signature]
[Your Name – printed]
By requesting an amount of compensation that is more than the total amount of your medical expenses and lost wages, you are leaving room to negotiate a fair settlement for your personal injury claim.
Getting Help with Your Personal Injury Claim
Consider hiring a personal injury lawyer to help you throughout the claims process. A lawyer can help you write your demand letter, collect the necessary medical evidence, and make sure your claims process and negotiations go smoothly overall.
