Attorney fees taxed as costs in certain actions involving negligent motor vehicle operation

(a) In actions brought for the recovery of property damages only of less than $15,000 sustained and caused by the negligent operation of a motor vehicle, the prevailing party shall be allowed reasonable attorney fees which shall be taxed as part of the costs of the action unless: (1) The prevailing party recovers no damages; or (2) a tender equal to or in excess of the amount recovered was made by the adverse party before the commencement of the action in which judgment is rendered. (b) For the plaintiff to be awarded attorney fees for the prosecution of such action, a written demand for the settlement of such claim containing all of the claimed elements of property damage and the total monetary amount demanded in the action shall have been made on the adverse party at such party's last known address not less than 30 days before the commencement of the action. For the defendant to be awarded attorney fees, a written offer of settlement of such claim shall have been made to the plaintiff at such plaintiff's last known address not more than 30 days after the defendant filed the answer in the action. (c) This section shall apply to actions brought pursuant to the code of civil procedure and actions brought pursuant to the code of civil procedure for limited actions.