Driving in the snow can be treacherous and lead to accidents. If you were injured in an auto collision while driving in the snow, you may want to consider filing a personal injury claim. Compensation from a claim can assist you in paying medical bills and living expenses.
The first step towards filing a personal injury claim is sending a demand letter to the other driver’s insurance company. The details and information in this letter will be referred to often throughout the claims process.
In your demand letter, remember to include a detailed account of the incident and relevant medical evidence.
Sample Demand Letter for an Auto Accident in Snow
Use this sample demand letter as a guide while writing your own letter. It includes all of the relevant details that are needed for a successful claim.
[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],
In response to our previous communication on March 18, 2015, please accept this letter as my formal demand for compensation in the issue mentioned above.
Recently, I finished medical treatment for the injuries I received on account of an auto collision caused by the negligence of your insured, Mr. Ethan Hanson. As you may be aware, Mr. Hanson was driving on Bellevue Road in [insert location] when his car slid into the next lane, hitting my car and pushing me into a tree. Mr. Hanson was driving well over a safe speed limit for inclement weather, and therefore is negligent and responsible for my injuries.
On January 9, 2015, I was driving on Bellevue Road during blizzard-like conditions. I noticed Mr. Hanson’s car coming from the other direction at an unsafe speed, considering the roads were covered in snow. Mr. Hanson then lost control of his vehicle, hitting my car in the front and on driver’s side, pushing my car into a tree.
I was taken via ambulance to Eastwood Memorial Hospital at [insert address], where I was treated by ER physician Dr. Eliza Haines. Dr. Haines treated a sprain in my neck and some minor cuts and bruises. She also prescribed me a pain medication, [name the medication]. Dr. Haines also recommended that I stay home from my job to rest for two weeks.
The attached bills outline my medical treatment, including:
Ambulance Transportation: $100.00
Eastwood Memorial Hospital: $560.00
Dr. Eliza Haines: $194.00
Prescription Pain Medication: $72.00
TOTAL: $926.00
Due to the negligent and unsafe driving of your insured, Mr. Ethan Hanson, I suffered severe pain from my sprained neck. I also lost two week’s worth of my hourly wage at La Siesta Mexican Grille, losing out on about $600.00 in pay and estimated tips. Because of this, I am seeking compensation in the amount of $2,500.00.
I hope to hear back from you in no more than 30 days from the time of this correspondence. I appreciate a timely response.
[Your Signature]
[Your Name – printed]
By requesting an amount of compensation that is over your combined medical expenses and lost wages, you are leaving room to negotiate a fair settlement amount.
Getting Help with Your Personal Injury Claim
Consider retaining a personal injury lawyer who can help you with all aspects of your personal injury claim, including writing your demand letter, gathering necessary medical evidence, and negotiating a fair amount of compensation.
