If you were recently involved in a side-impact automobile accident and would like compensation for your injuries and medical bills, look no further. Personal injury claims are the best way to receive compensation for an accident.
Any personal injury claim begins the same way: by writing a demand letter to the other driver’s insurance company. Demand letters are thorough documents that include:
- your information
- a detailed account of the accident
- a list of any injuries you sustained (as well as their costs), and
- your request for compensation
It is also best to send the letter along with other documentation (medical bills, notes from work about missed wages, etc.) that support your claim.
Demand letters must include key pieces of information, so it is important that they are written in a specific format. To be certain that your letter is as professional and thorough possible, it is wise to consult with a personal injury attorney for help. However, you can also begin on your own.
Sample Demand Letter for a Side-Impact Collision
This demand letter includes every piece of information necessary for a formal compensation request. Replace the information in this template with your own when writing your demand letter.
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your City, State, and Zip Code]
[The Date]
[Name of the Claims Adjuster]
[His or Her 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 if a claim number has already been assigned and you have received correspondence on the matter)
Date of Loss: [Date of the Accident or Incident that Caused Your Injuries]
In regards to our previous discussion on February 1, 2015, I am presenting this letter as my formal demand for compensation regarding the collision involving your insured, Mr. Garrett Brown.
I only recently completed medical treatment for the injuries I sustained due to Mr. Brown. As you recall, Mr. Brown was making an illegal U-turn at [insert location] when he hit my car on the driver’s side. Mr. Brown’s failure to follow [insert state]’s traffic laws and stay alert of his surroundings makes him negligent and responsible for the collision. I am asking compensation for my medical bills, loss of wages, and continued pain and suffering due to this collision.
On December 31, 2014, I was pulling into the parking lot of the Bank of America where I work. I was following Mr. Brown’s car until I began pulling slightly to the left, preparing to park in a parking spot directly to my right. However, as I was pulling into this spot, Mr. Brown made an illegal U-turn to head the other direction down the parking aisle, during which he collided with my driver’s side door. I experienced whiplash in my neck and suffered severe pain in my left shoulder during and after the accident.
I was driven by my husband to Chestnut Emergency Hospital, where I was seen by Dr. Eric Raymond. Dr. Raymond performed x-rays on my neck and shoulder and prescribed a neck brace and [name the medication] for the pain. I was told to take two weeks off of work to give my injuries ample time to heal.
Here are attached my medical bills, which further outline the cost of my treatment.
Chestnut Emergency Hospital: $560.00
Dr. Eric Raymond: $430.00
X-Rays: $363.00
Neck Treatment and Neck Brace: $110.00
Prescription Pain Medication: $77.00
TOTAL: $1,540.00
During my two-week absence from work, I lost $2,000 of my salary pay. I am also still required to take prescription pain medication for my shoulder injury, which causes me continued discomfort. For these reasons, I am requesting compensation in the amount of $11,000.
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 that it is smart to request more money than is accounted for by medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. This gives you room to negotiate later on with the insurance company.
Seeking Additional Help from an Attorney
If you need further assistance in writing your demand letter or have questions about the rest of the claim process, contact a personal injury attorney today. No one is better equipped to analyze your situation, prepare legal documents, present your options, or fight for the compensation you deserve.
