Portland injury attorney

How to Write a Car Accident Demand Letter

03/01/23

Car accidents can result in physical, emotional, and financial damages. In many cases, the at-fault party’s insurance company may offer a settlement to the victim to cover their damages. However, it is important to remember that insurance companies are businesses, and their goal is to protect their bottom line.

In these situations, you may want to write a demand letter. This document outlines the damages you have suffered as a result of the car accident and the compensation you are seeking. It is typically sent to the at-fault party’s insurance company or attorney and can serve as a powerful negotiation tool.

Listed below are some useful guidelines to help you craft an effective demand letter by Portland accident attorneys. 

Request Your Medical Records

Obtaining a copy of your medical records is crucial in demonstrating the nature and extent of your car accident injuries. Insurance companies may try to attribute your injuries to other causes, so it is important to have your medical records accurately reflect the cause of your injuries. 

Although medical records may be difficult to understand, it is essential to have a general understanding of what they say regarding your injuries, as this information will be important for your demand letter.

Keep Detailed Journal Entries

Keep a journal to document how your injuries affect your daily life. Note specific tasks you’re unable to perform or events you could not attend. These details enhance your injury claim and should be included in your demand letter.

Document the Extent of Your Property Damage

You should also document the extent of any property damaged in the accident, like vehicle repairs and electronic replacements. Like collecting your medical records, you should save any repair invoices, receipts, and other evidence associated with property damage so that you can include this information in your demand letter.

Keep Track of Your Expenses

After your injury, track all expenses connected to your accident in one location, like hospital bills or travel expenses for doctor appointments. You can use this information to help calculate the losses that you intend to claim in your lawsuit, which can inform your demand letter.

Seek Professional Legal Representation

Finally, you should seek the help of an attorney to draft your demand letter. Your lawyer can assist in drafting an effective document that accurately reflects your losses and compensation needs. Your attorney can gather and organize all the necessary evidence, calculate the full extent of your damages, and use his or her knowledge of the law to ensure that your demand letter includes all the necessary information to support your claim.

Contact A Portland Car Accident Lawyer 

It is important to remember that a demand letter is just one step in the negotiation process. The insurance company may respond with a counteroffer, or it may refuse to settle altogether. If this happens, you may need to take legal action to recover your damages. This is where a car accident lawyer can be invaluable.

In addition to helping draft your demand letter, an attorney can help you navigate the complex legal process and protect your rights during each stage of your case. He or she can also negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and represent your claim in court if necessary.

As soon as possible after your accident, seek medical attention. Then, contact a Portland personal injury lawyer to discuss your case and plan your next steps.