What Is a Demand Letter in an Arizona Personal Injury Case?

Once you’ve finished medical treatment and reached maximum medical improvement, your attorney sends the insurance company a demand letter. This is the formal opening of settlement negotiations — and it’s one of the most important documents in your case.

What’s in a Demand Letter

A strong demand letter includes a narrative of the accident — who did what, why it was negligent, and how it caused your injuries. It contains a complete summary of your medical treatment, every medical bill and record, documentation of lost wages and other economic losses, a description of your pain and suffering and how the injury has affected your life, and a specific dollar amount — the demand.

The Demand Amount

The demand is almost always higher than what your attorney expects to settle for. This is intentional — it sets the ceiling for negotiation. The insurance company will counter with a number far below the demand, and the two sides work toward a middle ground.

What Makes a Demand Letter Effective

Documentation. The more evidence your attorney includes — medical records, bills, photos, witness statements, expert opinions — the harder it is for the insurance company to lowball you. A demand letter backed by thorough documentation signals that this case is prepared for trial.

The Law Badgers prepare demand packages that leave no room for the insurance company to claim they don’t have enough information. This is one of the reasons having an attorney consistently produces better outcomes.