Prime Communications: Demanding Your Fair Share
When many people think about personal-injury cases, they understand that anything that involves the court system can turn into an annoying and protracted waiting game. If you win your case, the wait will be worth it, but what if you could cut that wait time drastically and get what you are owed for your injury in record time? If you use this little-known legal tactic to your advantage, you could find yourself completely done with the personal-injury process in a matter of weeks. Read on to learn more about how a demand letter can cut your wait time for getting your fair share.
What is a demand letter?
This letter communicates information about your case to the at-fault party and gives them an opportunity to settle the case before you go to trial. Since litigating a personal-injury case in court costs both sides money and takes a lot of time, being able to settle out of court could be beneficial to both parties. This letter contains an outline of your case and lets the other side know what they could be facing if they do go to court on your case.
What goes into a demand letter?
While your personal-injury attorney will be in charge of crafting a convincing and complete demand letter, it's helpful to understand what will be going into that letter. A good letter may not be possible without your input, since only you really know how the accident has affected your life. A good demand letter usually contains:
- Why you are not at fault in the accident. Even if it later turns out that you share some of the fault for the accident, the time for discussing that issue is during settlement negotiations. Any fault you share has the potential to reduce your compensation amount.
- A list of physical evidence you have at the ready should the case come to trial. This can be the accident report, which will contain the responding officer's opinion as to the cause of the accident, photos of the scene, photos of your injuries, traffic citations, video from the accident scene that recorded the wreck, and more.
- Witness statements. Eye witnesses to the accident who are willing to testify on your behalf.
- A list of all medical treatments you've had so far and the dollar amount of those treatments. It's vital not to skimp on these details, since the dollar amount and the seriousness of your injury plays a major role in your settlement amount.
- The amount of money you will accept to drop the case right now.
To learn more about the importance of the demand letter, speak to a personal-injury attorney, such as one at Gelman Gelman Wiskow & McCarthy LLC.
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