What Does a Demand Letter Do?
If you’ve been injured in an accident, you may be entitled to compensation, but securing that compensation isn’t always straightforward. One important step in the process is sending a demand letter, which is a formal document that outlines your claim and requests recovery from the at-fault party or their insurance company.
While it’s possible to write a demand letter yourself, working with an experienced Boca Raton personal injury lawyer can greatly improve your chances of success. Insurance companies may ignore or lowball self-written demand letters, especially if they suspect the injured party is unfamiliar with legal procedures.
What Should a Demand Letter Include?
A demand letter is a written request for compensation. It is typically sent to the people and parties involved in a claim. Depending on the situation, this could include the at-fault party, their attorney, their insurance company, and any other entity responsible for an injury. The letter explains why the recipient is liable for the damages and formally requests a settlement amount.
Injury victims can write these letters, but these documents carry more weight when prepared by an attorney. Insurance companies take legal correspondence more seriously when they know that a lawyer is prepared to take further legal action if necessary. A well-crafted demand letter by an attorney demonstrates that your claim is legitimate and shows you are prepared to escalate the case if a fair settlement isn’t offered
A strong demand letter should contain:
- Clear statement of the facts. The date, time, and location of the accident as well as a description of what happened and why the other party is at fault.
- Summary of injuries. Details of your medical treatment, diagnosis, and any long-term effects or ongoing medical needs.
- Financial damages. A list of medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, and property damage, if applicable.
- Pain and suffering. How the injury has affected your daily life, mental health, and well-being.
- The demand for compensation. A clear dollar amount that accounts for all damages and a deadline for the recipient to respond.
- Information about legal action. Language warning that a failure to respond or negotiate could potentially lead to a lawsuit.
There are examples of injured individuals penning compensation requests themselves, but they may not yield the results that could be accessed with the support of a legal professional. This is true because individuals without a legal background may have trouble presenting strong legal arguments, struggle to include proper evidence, and unintentionally admit of fault.
Why Work with a Boca Raton Injury Lawyer?
An experienced Boca Raton personal injury lawyer can write a strong, legally sound demand letter. They will negotiate aggressively with insurance companies and take the case to court if a fair settlement isn’t offered.
Are you seeking financial relief after a collision in Delray Beach, Deerfield Beach, or Pompano Beach? A professionally drafted demand letter could be the key to securing the compensation you deserve. Talk to the knowledgeable attorneys at Leifer & Ramirez. Call 561-660-9421 to book a confidential consultation.
