If you have been injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, you might be entitled to compensatory damages for your medical expenses and other losses. In many cases, you can pursue compensation in the State of Florida by filing a negligence claim with an insurance company.
The nature of the accident that caused your injuries will dictate which insurance company you work with. Let’s say you were injured in a slip and fall accident on someone else’s property because the property owner failed to remedy the fall hazard. In that case, you could file a claim with the property owner’s insurance company. However, if you were injured in an auto accident, the situation may be somewhat different. Florida is a no-fault insurance state (F.S. § 627.7407), which means you can pursue compensation from your own insurance company — even if the accident was someone else’s fault.
Regardless, a settlement demand letter is usually the first step in the process of pursuing compensation. This is a letter in which you describe the nature of the accident, provide documentation of your losses, and demand a certain amount of money from the insurance company. Below, this negligence attorney in Winter Haven, Florida is going to provide some tips to keep in mind when writing a settlement demand letter
Be calm.
The word “demand” may give you the idea that a settlement letter should be confrontational and aggressive in tone. Your tone should be formal and professional. Angrily demanding the settlement can do you more harm than good. The insurance company will probably think you want to settle early and are only trying to scare them into offering more than they are willing.
Mention all damages.
The consequences of an accident can be extensive. A knowledgeable negligence attorney in Winter Haven, Florida will advise you to mention all your damages in your settlement demand letter, including medical bills, loss of earnings, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. If you do not mention all the damages you incurred in your initial demand letter, your odds of adding them later will be diminished.
Include unique details of your case.
When drafting a settlement demand letter, it is acceptable to account for and mention unique aspects of your case. While details such as medical expenses and loss of earnings are a must in any settlement demand letter, there may be additional details worth mentioning. For example, you may have been driving to your child’s wedding ceremony when your car was hit by a reckless driver, preventing you from attending the wedding. You may want to touch on that in your settlement demand letter.
Hire a negligence attorney.
You may be unaware that you are entitled to compensation for certain damages not mentioned in your settlement demand letter. It’s always best to consult with a negligence attorney in Winter Haven, Florida before filing a claim. Your attorney can write and send the settlement demand letter on your behalf. This offers two major benefits. It relieves you of a tedious task at a time when you should be focusing on your recovery. Additionally, it increases the likelihood that your demand letter will include all pertinent information.
A well-written settlement demand letter can make a huge difference in determining how much you ultimately settle for. Consider increasing your chances of obtaining a fair settlement by hiring a Winter Haven negligence attorney to write a demand letter on your behalf rather than writing it yourself.
Looking for the Top-Rated Negligence Attorney in Winter Haven, Florida?
Are you looking to partner with the top-rated negligence attorneys in Winter Haven, Florida? If so, the professionals at O’Toole Law Group are the people to call. Our knowledgeable and experienced attorneys go above and beyond to make sure our clients are awarded the settlement they deserve. Contact us today at (863) 533-5525 to schedule a free legal consultation.
