What Makes an Effective Demand Letter?

An illustration of a man working at a laptop that was a question mark on itIf you’ve been injured in a car accident that was caused by another motorist’s negligence, you’re under a lot of stress. Not only are you injured but you also have to deal with the other driver’s insurance company, which can be tricky at best. If you’ve been so injured, you’ll likely need to send a demand letter to the insurance company in question, and you are well-advised to allow an experienced personal injury attorney in the Atlanta area to do so on your behalf. Understanding the important components of this letter, however, can help you help your attorney compose your most effective demand letter.

Begin with the 5 W’s You Learned in School

When you write a research paper, you begin by answering the 5 important questions that begin with W, including:

  • Where and When did the accident happen?
  • Who injured you and Why (by what negligence were you injured)?
  • What is the outcome of the accident? 

These represent the bare bones basics of any good report, and a succinct accounting should be included in your demand letter.

Include Evidence in Support of Your Account

You were injured by the negligence of the insurance company’s client, and you should include evidence in support of this fact. Such evidence can take a variety of forms, including:

  • The police report
  • Pictures and/or videos taken at the scene of the accident that thoroughly depict the scene of the accident and what took place
  • Your contemporaneous accounting of exactly how the accident transpired

It’s important to back up your claim with tangible evidence that leaves little room for the insurance company to prevaricate.

Include the Damages You’ve Suffered

You’ve been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, and it’s important to enumerate those damages in order to make a relevant financial settlement demand of the insurance company. It’s critical to remember, however, that, if you’ve been seriously injured, you may not be aware of the full extent of those damages until some time has passed. Your basic damages will include:

  • Your medical expenses, ranging from emergency care through surgery and on to aftercare, home health care, physical therapy, and beyond
  • Your lost hours on the job and any loss of your earning potential into the future
  • The pain and suffering you endured as a result of the other motorist’s negligence 

A well-crafted demand letter is one of the first important steps your experienced personal injury attorney will take in negotiating on your behalf for the compensation to which you are entitled. 

Call Us Today to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with a Personal Injury Lawyer in Atlanta

If another motorist’s negligence leaves you injured, the Atlanta personal injury attorneys at  Slappey & Sadd are committed to fighting for the compensation you need to reach your fullest recovery. Your case is important, and our experienced legal team cares, so please do not hesitate to contact us to schedule a free consultation today.

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