Preparing Your Case for Settlement

Your “Day in the life” letter: preparing your case for settlement. Below, you will find some steps to help you prepare your letter to the insurance company.

In order to prepare your claim for settlement to the insurance company, you need to write a letter detailing how this accident and your injuries have affected your life. Start with the accident itself and describe your feelings, how you were injured, and what you went through at that time.

Take a normal day, from the time you get up until the time you go to bed, explaining in detail how this accident has changed your life (e.g., the way you put on your clothes, the way you get in and out of bed, the way you take a shower or bath, etc.). If you were affected immediately after the accident from the way it is now, describe how it has affected you from the time of the accident up to the present time.

Write down how this has changed your life regarding work, playtime, hobbies, your life as a spouse (if applicable), etc.

Give a description of your pain, both at the scene of the occurrence and at all times thereafter. Describe the pain in detail, whether it is a shooting pain, throbbing pain, etc. Write down the pain during any hospital treatment, along with your pain and discomfort since the injury.

A good rule to follow in order to remember all of your problems is to start at your head, neck, and down through your toes describing, your injuries. Remember any medication you have had to take due to this accident and list any side effects you are experiencing from the medication. List specific activities you must now perform at home which take up your time, such as exercise, heat and/or ice treatments, etc.

List any activities you can no longer perform or perform with pain or difficulty, including household chores, or your job. Ask yourself, “Have my injuries caused me and my family members any economic hardships? What have I missed in life since my accident, such as hobbies, sports, vacations, recreations, etc?

Lastly, make your letter as personal as possible and make it a human interest story. Have you had any experiences where your injuries have caused you embarrassment? These are examples of an invasion of your dignity, and the law says that when someone has negligently inflicted an injury upon you, they have done more than invade your wallet. Remember, you know your own life better than anyone, so use your imagination and go into all the aspects of your life.

This letter can now be used by your personal injury lawyer to present your claim more effectively to the insurance company, which will ultimately result in a better recovery for you.