If you were in a car accident that took place at a stoplight and sustained injuries, you can file a personal injury claim with the other driver. A claim could provide you with compensation to help with the expenses of your medical bills and any lost wages.
The first step towards filing a successful personal injury claim is to write a demand letter and send it to the other driver’s insurance company. This letter should be very detailed, as it will be used for reference throughout the negotiation of your claim.
You should include any relevant medical records and bills, and provide a detailed account of the collision.
Sample Demand Letter for an Auto Accident at a Stoplight
Use this sample demand letter as a guide while writing your own letter. It contains all of the information and details you should include.
[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 correspondence on September 12, 2015, accept this letter as my formal demand for compensation in the matter previously mentioned.
I have just finished treatment for the injuries I sustained as a result of your insured, Mr. Jonas Gilbert. As you are aware, Mr. Gilbert neglected to yield while turning left at a green light at [insert location]. As a result, he collided with me on my passenger side. Mr. Gilbert failed to follow standard traffic procedure in [insert state], and therefore is negligent and personally responsible for the injuries I sustained from our collision.
On August 1, 2015, I was driving north on Oak Street, which is a four-way stop with a stoplight. Mr. Gilbert was driving south on the same street, and we were stopped at a red light. When the light turned green, Mr. Gilbert quickly accelerated and took a left turn without even using his turn signal. I was driving straight when the light turned green, and we collided. The force of the collision caused a sharp pain in my neck and some minor cuts and bruises.
I was taken by ambulance to Mercy Memorial Hospital, where I was treated by the ER doctor, Dr. Lucas Wright. He performed x-rays, treated a sprain in my neck, and prescribed me a mild pain medication, [name the medication]. I was told to stay home from my job at State Street Financial Corporation for two weeks to recover from my injuries.
I have attached my medical bills, which further outline the cost of my treatment.
Ambulance Transportation: $120.00
Mercy Memorial Hospital: $504.00
Dr. Lucas Wright: $299.00
X-Rays: $200.00
Prescription Pain Medication: $89.00
TOTAL: $1,212.00
Because of the negligent driving of your insured, Mr. Gilbert, I experienced severe pain and missed work for two weeks, during which I lost $3,000.00 worth of my salary. Because of this, I am requesting $5,000.00 in compensation.
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 by asking for an amount of compensation that is more than your medical bills and lost wages, you are leaving room for negotiation.
Get Help with Your Personal Injury Claim
A personal injury lawyer can help you write your demand letter and collect the medical evidence you need to file a successful claim. By hiring a lawyer, you can ensure that your claims process runs smoothly for a better chance at getting the compensation you deserve.
