Were you recently injured by another driver in a parking lot? If so, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim. By filing a claim, you could receive compensation for your injuries, medical bills, and suffering.
The first step in filing a personal injury claim is writing a demand letter. These letters, sent to the insurance company of whoever injured you, include five things:
- Your information,
- The details of your accident,
- The injuries you sustained,
- The amount for which you’re requesting compensation, and
- Any bills or documents that support your request
A well-written demand letter is essential to a personal injury case. They are not only your first formally documented submission, but they are referenced throughout your case from start to finish. The best way to ensure your demand letter is of the highest quality is to speak with a personal injury attorney.
However, you can get started on your own by following the formatted sample letter below.
Sample Demand Letter for a Parking Lot Accident
Demand letters must be properly organized and professionally written. When writing your demand letter, insert your information into the letter format below.
[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 Incident in which the Bus Accident Took Place]
Dear Mr./Mrs.[Name of Claims Adjuster],
As was previously mentioned during our discussion on June 1, 2015, I am writing to present you with my formal demand for compensation for the injuries sustained due to your insured, Mr. Mark Blanche.
As you know, Mr. Blanche was hastily pulling out of his parking space in the Bank of America parking lot in Woburn when he backed into the driver’s side of my car. Mr. Blanche’s ignorance of his surroundings and failure to follow standard traffic procedure in a parking lot makes him negligent and, thus, responsible for the injuries sustained from this accident.
On the afternoon of April 29, 2015, I was driving at around 5 MPH down the aisle way in the Bank of America parking lot, searching for a spot to park. Without warning or brakes, Mr. Blanche’s truck backed into my car on the driver’s side. It was later discovered that Mr. Blanche’s left tail light was also burned out, further reducing my chance to avoid the accident. The impact of the collision broke the window on my side of the vehicle, resulting in multiple lacerations on my left arm and hand. The jolt of the collision also caused whiplash and a severe pain in my neck.
After the incident, I drove myself to South Langton Memorial Hospital, where I was seen by Dr. Drake Greene. After performing a routine examination, Dr. Greene administered two stitches for my lacerations and helped treat a sprain in my neck. I was prescribed [name the medication] for the pain.
Here are attached my medical bills, which further describe the cost of my treatment.
- South Langton Memorial Hospital: $221.00
- Dr. Drake Greene: $376.00
- Neck Treatment: $59.00
- Stitches for Lacerations: $80.00
- Prescription Pain Medication: $120.00
- TOTAL: $856.00
Because of these injuries, I was also told to stay home for a week to recover. During this week, I was deprived of $900 of salary pay and was prevented from leading my normal life due to the negligence of Mr. Blanche. It is for these reasons that I am requesting $3000.00 in compensation for the incident.
I hope to receive a timely response in no later than 30 days from the date of this correspondence.
[Your Signature]
[Your Name – printed]
Note: when stating your ultimate request for compensation, demand a higher amount than the sum of your medical bills and lost wages. This will help ensure you get a satisfactory amount even if your claim goes into negotiation with the insurance company.
Seeking Help from an Attorney
Personal injury attorneys are specifically trained to help people like you attain justice for their accidents. They are your best chance at receiving the compensation you deserve, and your attorney can handle the legal aspects of your case, including:
- Collecting evidence
- Filing paperwork
- Negotiating with insurance companies
If you are interested in filing a personal injury claim, speak with an attorney today.
