Auto Insurance Claims: Claim Procedure, demand letter, group treatment

Question
QUESTION: Hello,

I was injured about 10 months ago while walking during my lunch break.  Most of my medical bills were covered under worker's comp except for some psychiatric visits due to worker's comp overlap.  I have completed all my medical treatment and physical therapy and was released to full duty in February.  The at fault parties' insurance company is requesting the psychiatric medical records and bills.  I am planning to put a demand package ready.  Is that a good idea?  Or should I send everything separate?

I am also wondering if this is a good time to negotiate a settlement?  I waited a few months to make sure I feel better and I do.

Thanks.

ANSWER: Hi Daniel,

I'm glad you're feeling better.

You can include all of the medical records and bills with your demand letter. You will outline in your demand letter all of the treatment dates, diagnosis/treatmen and costs. And of course you will include the amount of total money you want to settle the claim. That is when the negotiations start. After receiving your demand letter they will evaluate it and make you a counter offer. You should expect their offer to be very low. If at any point in the process you do not feel you are being treated fairly, you should seek the advice of an attorney.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello again,

Is it necessary to include all the treatment dates in the demand letter?  There are so many and don't want to seem repetitive.

Can I just include the diagnosis and other important factors?  

Thanks

Answer
Hi Daniel,

If their are too many dates to list individually, you may want to just group treatment dates by month. For example:

April 2009 - Dr. Smith - 17 visits - Total cost = $1850.00

This way you are laying out all of the treatments and costs without listing them individually. Of course you would still attach all of the individual bills for each date of service.

You may also want to take a look at a website www.collisionwizard.com . This website produced by the Better Business Bureau Video Series is designed to help with injury claims. Although you need to enter all of your doctors and treatment dates, it will help you develope a demand package. It even has a claim value calculator to help you determine the value of your claim.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh