It’s okay to be unfamiliar with the wrongful death claims process and apprehensive about what to expect. What you can expect from your case highly depends on the details of your matter, the laws in your state, and cooperation from the opposing party, among other factors. Your wrongful death lawyer may begin by sending the at-fault party’s insurance company a demand letter. Demand letters contain critical information, including how and why the negligent driver is at fault and details regarding the losses you’ve suffered. The letter will also contain a requested settlement amount to cover your damages. Upon receipt of a demand letter, the insurance company can either agree to the amount, engage in settlement negotiations, or refuse to settle. If the insurance company does not wish to settle, or is only willing to settle for less than you deserve, your attorney can then file a wrongful death lawsuit. The lawsuit process can take anywhere from several months to years. You may reach a settlement before the case ever goes to court, or your case may end up at trial before a judge. While the process can seem intimidating, you can rest assured your case is in the right hands when you have a wrongful death lawyer. Your attorney can keep you updated on the status of your case as it moves along, as they do whatever is necessary to get you the compensation you so rightly deserve.