Despite annual improvements in vehicle safety, the number of people killed in traffic incidents continues to rise. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there are around 13 automobile accidents per minute in the United States. According to the National Safety Council, these auto accidents cost the economy almost $474 billion last year (NSC).
Who’s responsible for the costs of all these car crashes? Who is responsible for paying the bills and replacing lost income due to illness? Should those who caused no harm pay for their own injuries?
This view is not shared by the American civil justice system. Instead, persons injured in auto accidents in the United States (or their families on their behalf if they are deceased) can use a car accident attorney at Khan Injury Law to file a claim for damages in civil court.
Typical Duties of a Car Accident Lawyer
Your case can get underway once you’ve retained the services of a qualified lawyer who specializes in automobile accidents. They will look into the circumstances surrounding your accident to determine what happened and who is at fault. Multiple people or organizations may share responsibility in some cases. When they figure out who is at fault, they’ll look into what kinds of insurance coverage each party had at the time of the incident. A lawyer can act as your representative when submitting a claim under these policies.
An attorney can handle all interactions with the insurer on your behalf. Instead, your attorney will handle this, which will reduce your stress and strengthen your case.
The Letter of Demand
An attorney representing a victim of a car crash will typically write a formal demand letter to the insurance company. This letter is to inform the insurance company of your desire to file a claim for damages following an automobile accident. It kicks off negotiations between your lawyer, the insurance company’s lawyers, and the other side.
To summarize the letter, your lawyer will:
- Tell me what happened that resulted in your injuries.
- If possible, please include the following information: the time, place, and names of all people involved in the accident
- Specify the nature and extent of your financial and emotional losses, as well as any other losses, for which you are seeking compensation.
- Provide an explanation for why their insurer must pay for your losses.
- Justify their claims with supporting evidence.
