Pros And Cons Of Keeping An Accident Demand Letter Brief
If you meet with a job placement agency in the hopes of finding a job, the agent who assists you will often advocate for a short, punchy resume. Regardless of who you consult, there's a good chance that he or she will tout the benefits of a succinct resume. If you've been in a car accident and have consulted with a few attorneys who handle automotive cases, you may get different answers regarding the optimal length of your demand letter. This letter, which you submit to the other driver's legal team, outlines what you expect to get in a settlement. Here are some pros and cons of keeping the letter brief.
Pro: Brevity Can Offer A High Impact
When you keep your car accident demand letter short, it may have a higher impact than a longer letter. Short statements, which are easy to read and understand, leave little room for interpretation. Conversely, a verbose letter can cause your message and the seriousness with which you view the situation to become lost. The result of a lengthy letter may be that the other attorney doesn't take it as seriously as you want him or her to.
Con: Less Room For An Emotional Appeal
While a good demand letter in a car accident cases includes a lot of financial figures, there's also an emotional element to it. You need to explain the emotional toll that the accident has had on you — and then associate a financial figure to this suffering. If you're striving to keep your demand letter short, you may feel as though you lack the freedom to make a thorough emotional appeal.
Pro: You Can Complete It Quicker
When you want to get your car accident case moving along, a brief demand letter can prevent unnecessary hold-ups. If your goal is to write a long and comprehensive letter, doing so effectively may take you a lengthy period — which may contribute to holding up the legal proceedings to some degree. Thinking carefully and then writing a succinct letter puts the ball in the other side's court as soon as possible.
Con: It May Not Seem As Serious
Another challenge to a short letter is that it might not seem as serious as a longer one. For example, if a demand letter is several pages in length, the other attorney's initial impression may be that you've taken a lot of time to clearly break down your demands. Conversely, a shorter demand letter may not create this feeling; the attorney may feel as though you haven't put a lot of thought into the letter.
For more information, contact a company like Bennett Law Firm PC.