What to do about submitting a demand letter for an auto accident?
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What to do about submitting a demand letter for an auto accident?
When submitting a demand letter for an auto accident (not at fault), should I include the amount of damages expected (non-economic, pain/suffering). I included details of all medical costs, current and future or should the adjuster make an offer based on data submitted?
Asked on September 20, 2012 under Accident Law, Louisiana
Answers:
S.L,. Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
In the demand letter, under Special Damages list each medical provider and the amount of each medical bill. List wage loss. You might also want to list transportation (number of visits to the doctor multiplied by a rate per mile based on roundtrip mileage to the doctor).
Your pain and suffering compensation is a multiple of only the total medical bills; not the other items I have mentioned. You can write the amount of compensation you are seeking in a separate sentence in the demand letter. It should be a sufficiently large figure so that there is room for negotiation because the adjuster will respond with a much lower offer, and you can continue negotiations to try to increase the adjuster's offer.
If the case is settled with the at-fault party's insurance carrier, NO lawsuit is filed. If you are dissatisfied with settlement offers from the at-fault party's insurance carrier, reject the settlement offers and file a lawsuit for negligence against the at-fault party/registered owner of the vehicle (if the registered owner is someone other than the at-fault driver). If the case is NOT settled with the at-fault party's insurance carrier, you will need to file your lawsuit for negligence prior to the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations or you will lose your rights forever in the matter.
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