If you have been injured in an auto accident involving a commercial truck, you may want to consider filing a personal injury claim with the responsible party’s insurance company. Compensation from a personal injury claim can go towards your medical bills and lost wages. To file a successful personal injury claim, you must first write a demand letter and send it to the insurance company. This letter will be used as a point of reference throughout the claims process.
For an injury caused by a car accident involving a truck, it is important that you do not refer to the incident as an “accident” – instead, refer to it as a “collision”, “crash”, or something similar. The word “accident” could make it seem as though you believe no one was at fault for your injuries, but to receive damages from the other party it is important to establish negligence.
Your demand letter should also include any and all related medical records, and a detailed account of your injuries and how they have affected your life.
Sample Demand Letter for an Auto Accident Claim Involving a Truck
This sample demand letter includes all of the information and details you should include in your own letter for your personal injury 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 correspondence on June 8, 2015, please accept this letter as my formal demand for settlement in the matter mentioned above.
I have finished medical treatment for my injuries sustained from the negligence of your client, Ralston Foods, LLC. As you know, your insured’s driver, Frank Dean, was turning onto East Main Street from Route 14 in [insert location], sideswiping my car while I was stopped next to it at a red light. My car was in its own lane and Mr. Dean had turned too wide, while also not being allowed to take a turn on a red light. Therefore, your insured was negligent and responsible for the injuries I sustained.
On April 26, 2015 I was driving on Route 14, which is a two-lane highway. I was stopped at a red light in the left lane of the highway when Mr. Dean pulled up besides me in the right lane, and also stopped at the red light. The driver, after stopping, decided to take a “right on red”, which happens to be illegal for the traffic laws in [insert state]. The driver also took too wide of a turn, scratching up my car before catching my car from the back bumper, pushing my car and myself into oncoming traffic. A car coming from the other direction hit me head on.
Within minutes, I was taken to Golden Valley Hospital at [insert address], where I was treated by the ER physician, Dr. Melinda Wilhelm. She treated a sprain in my neck as well as various cuts and bruises. She x-rayed my body, treated the sprain in my neck, and also prescribed me a pain medication [name the medication]. She also recommended that I stay home from my job at Trulia Insurance, Inc. for three weeks to recuperate from my injuries.
The expenses for my medical treatment are further detailed in the attached bills. They include:
Golden Valley Hospital: $650.00
Dr. Melinda Wilhelm, ER Doctor: $276.00
X-Rays: $200.00
Prescription Pain Medication: $86.00
TOTAL: $1,212.00
Due to the negligence of your insured, Ralston Foods, LLC, I experienced severe pain and suffering from my injured neck, missed work for three weeks, and lost three week’s worth of my hourly full-time salary, which I rely on to pay my bills. Because of this, I am requesting compensation for these general damages in the amount of $4,000.00.
I expect to hear back from you in no later than 30 days from the time of this correspondence, and I appreciate a timely response.
[Your Signature]
[Your Name – printed]
Note that by asking for an amount of compensation that is larger than your total amount of medical costs and missed wages, you are leaving room to negotiate a fair amount of damages.
Getting Help with a Personal Injury Claim
Writing a demand letter is important to make sure that you receive a fair settlement for your personal injury claim. You should also consider hiring a personal injury lawyer to help you write a demand letter, collect the medical evidence you need, and make sure your claim goes smoothly so you can receive the compensation you deserve.
