If you are in an accident, you deserve compensation not only for the cost of repairing the damage to your vehicle but also for the estimated loss of your vehicle’s value due to the crash. Chances are, though, that the insurance company will not include this amount in its settlement offer. This is where Miami accident victims can seek the guidance of a diminished value property damage car accident claims lawyer.
A Miami car accident attorney from the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can help you make a diminished value car insurance claim. We will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and make sure you seek the damages you deserve, including compensation for the diminished value of your vehicle.
What Is a Diminished Value Claim in a Car Accident?
Imagine you are ready to buy a new car, and you take your current vehicle to the dealership to trade it in. Another prospective buyer brings in a car just like yours—the same make, model, mileage, year, color, and condition—with only one difference. When the dealer pulls a vehicle report on both cars, it shows that yours was in an accident and the other was not. Even though your vehicle was fully repaired after the crash and shows no lingering effects, the dealer could offer you several thousand dollars less for your trade than they offer the other customer.
Unfortunately, wrecked cars have a stigma attached to them, even ones repaired to a like-new condition. Because most used car buyers ask for a vehicle condition report on any car they are thinking of purchasing, dealers know they cannot sell previously wrecked cars for the same price as similar vehicles with clean histories. Because fewer buyers want vehicles that have been in a collision, they command a lower value in the marketplace. Dealers offer less for these vehicles on trade-ins to maintain profit margins. The person who gets the short end of the stick is you, the owner of the car in an accident.
For this reason, car accident victims can request compensation from the insurance company for their car’s diminished value. We have helped numerous clients in Miami file diminished value claims to recover the loss of their vehicle’s worth. We know how to handle tough negotiations with insurance companies and see to it that our clients never settle for a suboptimal settlement that pays less than they deserve. We fight for every dollar possible.
You Can Recover the Diminished Value of Your Car
In Florida, the at-fault party in a car accident must pay the other driver for the damage to their vehicle. If you strike another vehicle and cause $10,000 in damage, either you or your insurance company must pay the owner of that vehicle the $10,000 to fix it. This legal principle is clear and uncontroversial.
Florida has another law that many drivers are not aware of and that insurance companies often fail to recognize. This law deals with the diminished value of a car after a crash. Vehicles involved in a wreck suffer a hit to value that is rarely recovered, even after the physical damage from the accident is repaired.
Our lawyers can help you file a diminished value claim to make up for the lost value of your vehicle.
Other Damages You Can Recover After an Accident in Miami
Beyond property damage costs and the diminished value of your vehicle, you can recover compensation to pay for other losses you sustained in an accident. For example, if you were injured in a car accident, you can seek a financial award for damages such as:
- Your medical treatment
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Lost life enjoyment
Our firm can explain your legal options for recovering your damages when you reach out to us.
The Benefits of Choosing Our Firm Serving Miami to Handle Your Diminished Value Property Damage Claim
Working with an auto accident lawyer from the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine has several benefits. When you decide to work with our firm, we will:
- Provide you with your attorney’s phone number for convenient communication
- Let you know about every case update so you are always in the loop
- Help you get your car fixed and schedule any appointments you need
- Answer all your questions
- Respond to your calls and emails promptly
We have years of experience serving clients throughout Miami. You can trust our team to treat your case personally and seek the justice you deserve.
The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine Can Help You Recover Your Car’s Lost Value After a Crash in Miami
Our Miami car accident lawyers can help you recover the lost value of your car from the insurance company after a collision. At your free consultation, we will evaluate your case and uncover the relevant details to help us assemble a claim.
Once we take your case, we will investigate your accident and gather evidence. A significant part of this process involves dealing with diminished automotive valuation experts. These experts help us appraise your vehicle after repairs and compare this value to what your car was worth before the accident. By involving experts, we attach a measure of authority to the dollar amount we come up with for your car’s lost value.
Our legal team can also help you with a Miami personal injury lawsuit and property value claims from a car accident, both of which often go hand-in-hand with diminished value claims. However, we can still handle your diminished value claim even if you did not suffer injuries in the crash.
We can often convince the insurance company to settle out of court for a fair amount that includes the diminished value of your vehicle. If we are unable to do this, our attorneys will file a lawsuit and take your case to a jury trial if necessary. We fight for the rights of all of our clients so they can recover the compensation they deserve.
What to Do If an Insurance Company Offers You a Quick Settlement After a Crash
If the insurance company calls you after your accident to offer a settlement, you may not want to accept it before you talk to us. It can be tempting to take the first settlement offer, particularly if the insurance company promises to mail a check right away. Because medical bills and repair bills are never cheap, a fast settlement seems to offer some major benefits.
However, the insurance company’s offer is unlikely to cover all of the damages you deserve. One payment rarely included in an initial settlement offer is compensation for the diminished value of your vehicle. You may want a strong negotiator working on your behalf to receive this money.
To Get Started With a Free Consultation, Call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine Today
The legal team at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine wants to help you win the compensation you deserve. If you were in a car accident in Miami and believe your vehicle has diminished in value as a result, call us. We can help you recover this money. For a free case evaluation, contact us today.
We Can Help.
