A car accident agreement letter dictates the terms of a financial settlement. It establishes fault and financial liability and gives a detailed description of an accident victim’s losses. This crucial letter describes the accident’s date, time, location, and other details. It also describes your injuries and their costs and severity.
Obtaining compensation after a car accident is a complicated legal matter. You do not have to create this crucial legal document alone. car accident lawyer in Fort Lauderdale can iron out all the details of your settlement agreement and negotiate the best financial outcome to make you whole. Most personal injury attorneys will review your accident at no cost or obligation and represent you on a contingency fee basis.
What Are the Critical Elements of a Car Accident Settlement Agreement?
Most car accident cases are settled out of court. Reaching a settlement agreement with the at-fault driver’s insurance company requires:
- Proving their policyholder’s negligence caused the accident
- Establishing the value of your recoverable damages
- Negotiating a satisfactory auto accident settlement agreement
A traffic accident settlement agreement letter should include the following components:
- Police report: The report will contain essential accident details and basic information, including the accident’s date, time, and location. This document can establish the start date for the statute of limitations.
- Driver/car details: Names and contact details of all involved drivers, including vehicle descriptions, insurance company and policy details, points of impact, and damage to each car.
- Injury details: Medical records and bills, expert testimony, treatment plan, and a detailed written prognosis for necessary future care.
- Witness information: Names, contact information, and statements for any eyewitnesses who came forward and experts your legal team consulted
- Vehicle damage: Repair estimates, diminished value, and replacement values if the insurer declares your car a total loss.
- Proof of negligence: Evidence that proves the legal elements of negligence, including duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages.
- Technological evidence: Dashcam, smartphone, and traffic camera footage; vehicle black box data; and other digital forensic evidence.
Gathering all the information needed for your car accident agreement letter can be challenging. A lawyer can draft a letter that includes all the components of a comprehensive car accident claim.
A Car Accident Settlement Agreement Includes Financial Compensation Details
The damages you recover from the at-fault driver should fairly and accurately compensate you for all the expenses and losses you incur. Your settlement demand letter should include requests for the following damages:
- Economic damages: Past and future medical bills and lost income, lost earning ability, and property damage, destruction, or diminished value.
- Noneconomic damages: Physical disability and disfigurement, pain and suffering, inconvenience, mental and emotional trauma, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Wrongful death damages: Funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial and familial support, and loss of consortium, companionship, guidance, and society.
Your letter will also contain medical records and bills that prove the costs of your treatment protocol to date. It will also include a prognosis that describes the future care you will require and its costs.
Do You Need a Lawyer to Craft a Car Accident Demand Letter?
While you are not required to have a lawyer, hiring one has many benefits. You can focus on getting better while your lawyer takes care of the following details:
- Build a compelling case file, including evidence you might find difficult to obtain.
- Deal with the insurance company, including its demands for evidence, information, and claim forms.
- Accurately assess your recoverable damages, including medical bills, lost income, vehicle damage, pain and suffering, and more.
Your lawyer will also represent you during settlement negotiations once the insurance adjuster receives your car accident agreement letter and responds to your request.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
Most car accident lawyers work on contingency, meaning they will cover all the costs of preparing your claim and only receive compensation if they win your case. Then, they would receive a percentage of your recovered damages as payment. But if you don’t win your case, you will owe no legal or attorney’s fees.
How Long Does It Take to Reach a Settlement Agreement?
Reaching an agreement can take time since it typically involves multiple rounds of negotiations. Your lawyer will guide you through this process. They will also be sure to file your lawsuit on time to avoid a breakdown in settlement negotiations.
How Much Time Do You Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Fort Lauderdale?
According to Florida Statutes § 95.11, you generally have two years to file your personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit after a motor vehicle accident. Your personal injury lawyer will accurately interpret the statute of limitations (since it could fluctuate) and file your lawsuit on time.
Call Our Team Today for Help Drafting Your Car Accident Agreement Letter
If you suffered injuries in a car accident, the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato could help you create a car accident agreement letter to send to the at-fault driver and their representatives. Our car accident lawyers will detail your accident and outline the compensation you deserve.
Find out more about what a car accident agreement letter is and how we can help you create an effective one and fight for fair and appropriate compensation. Contact our consultation team at the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato today to get started with a free review of your car accident claim.
