The demand letter is a major milestone. Proper client education prevents anxiety and unrealistic expectations.
What is a Demand Letter?
A demand letter is a formal document I send to the insurance company that tells your story and requests compensation. It includes: how the accident happened, your injuries and treatment, how this has affected your life, your medical bills and lost wages, and the amount we're demanding.
Before Sending
Before I send the demand, I'll share a draft with you. You'll have a chance to correct any factual errors and add anything I missed about how this injury has impacted your life. Your input makes the demand stronger.
The Amount
We're demanding $[X]. This is our opening position - it accounts for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future needs. The insurance company will likely counter with less. That's normal negotiation.
After Sending
Now we wait. The insurance company typically has 30 days to respond. They may: accept our demand (rare), make a counter-offer (most common), or deny the claim (we'll discuss next steps). I'll contact you immediately when we hear back.
Managing Expectations
I want to be realistic: first offers are almost always too low. Don't be discouraged - it's a negotiation. Most cases settle without going to court, but it takes patience. I'll fight for every dollar you deserve.
Client Questions to Anticipate
- "Why is it taking so long?" - Records collection takes time
- "Can't we ask for more?" - Explain how you calculated the demand
- "What if they say no?" - Outline litigation as an option