How to Protect Your Rights and Secure the Compensation You Deserve
Negotiating a car accident claim is rarely straightforward. Behind every “friendly” conversation with an insurance adjuster is a carefully calculated strategy aimed at minimizing the amount they pay you. At Shlesinger & deVilleneuve, we’ve spent decades helping Oregonians level the playing field. Understanding the negotiation game and how to play it well can be the difference between a lowball offer and a truly fair settlement.
Insurance Companies Don’t Play Fair—They Play Smart
From the moment you file a claim, the insurance company is working against your interests. Their representatives may sound cooperative, but their goal is simple: settle fast, settle cheap, and avoid future liability. Common tactics include:
- Lowballing early with a quick offer before you know the extent of your injuries
- Delaying the process hoping you’ll get desperate, frustrated, or give up
- Downplaying your injuries by scrutinizing gaps in treatment or pre-existing conditions
- Requesting recorded statements to use your words against you
- Making you feel bad for asking for monetary compensation
- Asking for broad medical authorizations to dig into your unrelated medical history
Recognizing these tactics is the first step to overcoming them.
The Art of Negotiation: What Makes a Strong Strategy?
Negotiating a car accident case is as much psychological as it is legal. Here are key elements of a winning approach:
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Know Your Value—And Don’t Apologize for It
Many people undervalue their claim or feel guilty for seeking compensation. Don’t. You’re entitled to be made whole. That includes:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost income and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage and incidental costs
We build your case with hard evidence to back up every dollar.
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Timing Is Everything
Insurance companies want to settle quickly—before you’ve seen a specialist, before physical therapy is complete, before you fully understand the impact on your life. One of the most powerful tools in negotiation is patience. You’ve heard the adage, timing is everything.
So it goes with car accident settlement negotiations. What we wait for before pursuing settlement negotiations:
- Your medical condition stabilizes
- Your total damages are clear and quantifiable
- All bills and documentation are gathered
Only then do we begin meaningful negotiations.
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Speak Their Language—but Don’t Speak Directly
Insurance adjusters are trained negotiators. Most people are not. That’s why you should never go it alone. We handle all communications on your behalf to:
- Avoid unintentional admissions
- Prevent manipulation or misstatements
- Frame your claim clearly and forcefully
Our goal is to shift the conversation from “how little can we pay?” to “what will it take to resolve this fairly?”
When Negotiation Fails, Leverage Litigation
Not every case settles through negotiation, and that’s okay. In fact, the willingness to file a lawsuit is often what drives a better offer. At Shlesinger & deVilleneuve, we don’t bluff. Insurance companies know we’re ready and willing to take a case to court, and that credibility strengthens our negotiating power from the start.
Final Thoughts: Level the Playing Field
Negotiating a car accident case is not about being aggressive or argumentative; it’s about being informed, strategic, and unshakeable. Emotions can often cloud judgment. The insurance company has professionals working to protect their bottom line. You deserve the same. We pride ourselves on being objective, compassionate, and persuasive advocates, using our experience to protect our clients’ rights and win the insurance game.
Contact Us Today
If you’ve been injured in a car accident and are unsure how to deal with the insurance company, let us step in. At Shlesinger & deVilleneuve, we offer free consultations and no-fee representation unless we win your case. Let us fight for you—on your terms.