Vehicle Property Damage Attorney in Conroe

Helping You Pursue Your Claim

When a car accident occurs, compensation should cover any property damage sustained in addition to medical costs associated with any injury. The insurance company must pay you for the damage to your vehicle, and if they are resistant to giving you what you are owed, Scott Law Firm can help.

Contact our Conroe vehicle property damage lawyer today to find out more about your rights in this situation. 

What Should I Be Paid for Auto Damages?

Repair Cost vs. Fair Market Value

After an accident, you should get paid for either the cost to repair your vehicle or the fair market value of the car. Every car is repairable. However, insurance companies will use a ratio to determine what happens to the car. There are two options, whether the car should be repaired versus whether they will “total” the car. The term “total a car” is an insurance term.

The law entitles you to be fully compensated for your vehicle, whether you seek the repair value or the fair market value. But, if you go to court, the judge or jury is likely to only allow you to get compensated for the fair market value if the cost of the repairs is more than the value of the car.

What Is the Fair Market Value of My Car?

To determine the value of your vehicle, you can use sites such as NADA to find the fair market value. You can also search for used cars in your area that are of the same make and model as your vehicle. Remember, the fair market value is simply the value that someone is willing to pay you. If similar vehicles in your area are selling for $5,000, then the fair market value is around $5,000.

What Is the Cost to Repair My Car?

You do not have to accept the estimate the insurance company gave you for repair. For instance, if you have a Land Rover and you would like to take your vehicle to a certified Land Rover dealer for repair, then you are entitled to do that. If you dispute the amount of repair given to you by the insurance company, then try to get an estimate from a few other mechanics. Having more than one opinion will give you a good idea of the cost of repair.

How Will a Mechanic Determine the Repair Costs for My Car?

A mechanic will inspect your car and write a report that details the amount of damage and parts needed for repair. The estimate should include labor and car parts, as well as any services that may be necessary such as towing. You should get your own mechanic to put together this estimate because car repair shops recommended by the insurance company may be biased to the insurance company. This may lead to an estimate that will decrease your compensation.

What Should I Do If the Insurance Company Is Not Paying Me What I Deserve?

If you have already submitted an estimate from a mechanic and the insurance company still refuses to pay what is owed, then it may be time to contact an attorney. A vehicle lawyer will help secure fair compensation for your car’s damage.

Can the Insurance Company Deny My Claim?

In most cases, car insurance companies must pay for car damages. However, if the car accident was not covered by your car insurance policy or another driver’s car insurance policy, then the claim may be denied. This could also be true if you were at fault for the auto accident. An experienced property damage lawyer near you will be able to analyze your claim and determine if your policy did cover the accident, or they may be able to prove you were not at fault.

The insurance company may also offer you a lowball amount for the damages you suffered. You should not accept such a settlement. Such lowball payments are likely far lower than what you deserve or what you need to get your car back in full working condition.

What To Do If the Insurance Company Denies My Claim?

If your car insurance company denies your claim, then you should contact a car accident lawyer for property damage. Conroe auto accident attorney can review the details of your case and ensure that you are fairly compensated for your vehicle’s property damage. Scott Law Firm will fight for your rights when dealing with an insurance company so that you get the full amount of compensation that is due to you. If the other driver was at fault, we can help make sure their car insurance pays out.

Can I Be Compensated for Diminished Value?

If your car is repaired, then you are entitled to be compensated for the diminished value. This is the loss in value that the car experienced by being repaired. In other words, if you sell the vehicle after the repairs are completed, you’re not going to get the same amount of money. The value of the car would be the same as if the car had not been repaired.

Can I Sue Someone for Damaging My Car?

Yes, you can sue someone for vehicle property damage but only under certain circumstances.

Normally, the other driver's insurance will handle damages to your property, but certain factors could allow you to sue the other driver. For instance:

• If you have proof that the other driver was at fault and caused your vehicle to be damaged, but their insurance will not cover the damages, then you can pursue a lawsuit.
• If insurance coverage limits are too low to cover the cost of damages, you may also be able to pursue a lawsuit.

These are not the only situations that could lead to you filing a lawsuit against the other driver in a car accident. There are also nuances that could easily invalidate any lawsuit you are seeking to file. That is why it is very important to consult with an auto accident lawyer before pursuing a lawsuit against the other driver. The auto property damage attorney will review your case and help determine which legal route is appropriate for getting your vehicle repaired or replaced.

Can You Sue Someone for Crashing Your Car?

The answer to this question depends on whether you gave that person permission to drive your car. If you did not give that individual permission to operate your vehicle, they could be responsible for the damages done to your property. This, however, is a complex situation and an attorney needs to review the case to ensure that negligent entrustment is not involved.

What Is Negligent Entrustment?

Negligent entrustment is a legal concept that requires the vehicle owner to be responsible for damages caused by the vehicle they own. Even if the owner is not the one driving the vehicle when it is in an accident, that person could still be held liable for damages. If the vehicle owner allowed someone who was unfit to drive his/her vehicle and that person caused an accident, then the owner can potentially be held liable for their negligence. An auto accident lawyer can help you determine whether or not negligent entrustment applies to your situation.

How Can a Property Damage Lawyer Help My Claim?

Auto insurance companies often resist fully compensating you in order to save on their bottom-line. That means getting fair and full compensation from these companies can be a struggle. The last thing you need to deal with after an accident is an argumentative insurance company. An auto damage lawyer can take on that burden while you focus on recovery.

Turn to a lawyer for your automotive property damage issues. Not only does Scott Law Firm have experienced lawyers, we are centrally located near the courthouse in Montgomery County.

These situations can be confusing, but our vehicle property damage attorney in Conroe can help. Call our firm at (936) 243-4299 today to get started.