Most personal injury cases will settle before they go to trial. Because there is always a risk when going to trial, if your lawyer can negotiate a fair settlement first, that is always better for the client. One way to accomplish a settlement of your car accident case is for your lawyer to draft a settlement demand letter and send it to the defendant’s insurance company.
Demand letters serve many purposes. The most important purpose is that it allows the insurance adjuster who is handling your case the ability to see your lawyer’s position and opinions on the case. Most of the time, when your lawyer drafts a settlement demand letter, this is the first time that the entire case is organized and put in writing.
It is usually the first time that the adjuster will understand the entire set of facts about the case and why the other party was negligent. In many cases, this is the first time that the adjuster will be seeing hard evidence of the case, such as pictures of the crash and property damage and witness accounts.
Also, it is usually the first time that the adjuster will learn about the full extent of the injuries. Your medical records will be summarized and the important aspects of the treatment will be highlighted. Pictures of injuries and X-rays are often provided.
Demand Letters Establish a Settlement Value on Your Case
Another purpose of a settlement demand letter is that it is usually the first time that you and your lawyer discuss the value of your case. Given your lawyer’s years of experience in handling similar cases, they will have a good idea of the settlement range of your case. You and your lawyer can have a detailed discussion about both of your expectations regarding the amount of compensation. Your lawyer can explain, in detail, why they think your case is worth that amount.
A settlement demand letter also lets the other side know what type of value your lawyer is putting on the case. This gives the adjuster an idea where you and your lawyer are coming from. The adjuster can then evaluate the case with all of the information that is provided in the demand letter. The bottom line is that the demand letter is a starting point for negotiations to begin.
Chester County Personal Injury Lawyers at Eckell Sparks Have Decades of Experience in Successfully Representing Seriously Injured Clients
If you have been seriously injured by someone’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses and pain and suffering. One of our Chester County personal injury lawyers at Eckell, Sparks, Levy, Auerbach, Monte, Sloane, Matthews & Auslander, P.C. are here to fight for your rights. Call us at 610-565-3701 or contact us online to schedule an initial consultation. Located in Media and West Chester, Pennsylvania, we serve clients in Delaware County, Chester County, and Montgomery County.