In This Article
After treatment stabilizes and the full scope of your losses is clear, your attorney sends the insurer a demand letter — the formal opening of settlement negotiations. A well-built demand can set the tone for the entire case and significantly influence the final number.
What a Demand Letter Contains
A strong demand lays out liability with supporting evidence, documents your injuries and treatment, itemizes economic losses like medical bills and lost wages, and explains non-economic harms such as pain and diminished quality of life. It concludes with a specific settlement demand backed by the record.
Timing Is Strategic
Sending a demand too early — before you reach maximum medical improvement — risks undervaluing your future needs. Sending it well-documented and at the right time signals to the insurer that the claim is serious and trial-ready, which tends to produce better offers.
The Negotiation That Follows
Insurers rarely accept the first demand. Expect a low counteroffer, followed by rounds of negotiation. The strength of the underlying evidence — and the credible threat of litigation — drives how far the number moves. If negotiations stall, filing suit may be the next step.
Free Demand-Strategy Review
If you are approaching the point of making a demand, a free review can help you understand what your claim should include and what a fair settlement range looks like.