Lakeland Diminished Value Claims Lawyer
How to Handle Diminished Value Claims
Auto accidents are stressful. Aside from the immediate physical and emotional stress, the loss of a vehicle’s value is an enormous headache.
However, Florida law asserts that drivers who are the victims of car accidents are entitled to compensation for the loss in value that their vehicle suffers after being involved in a crash.
What is Diminished Value?
Even if your car is not completely totaled, it’s value is often severely reduced by having been involved in an accident. Vehicles that have had to undergo repairs after a crash depreciate at a rate 10-25% higher than if they had never been involved in a crash. This means that if you attempt to sell your vehicle, you will have to do so for substantially less money.
Motorists who have suffered such a loss to their vehicle’s value are entitled to compensation from the at-fault party’s insurer. The claim can not be filed with the vehicle owner’s insurer unless they have uninsured motorist coverage and it is determined that the diminished value would have been covered by the at-fault driver’s insurance if they had any.
The McHale Vs. Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. case determined that the damages must cover the full cost of repairs in addition to the vehicles’ loss in market value. The Court’s ruling also made known that the burden of proof lies on the plaintiff when bringing such a claim forth.
How Long Do I Have to File a Diminished Value Claim?
The statute of limitations for diminished value claims in Florida is three years. The plaintiff must be able to prove that the value of their car has diminished, and to what degree. Oftentimes, though, insurers try to fight these types of claims.
This is why the help of an experienced attorney is imperative. A lawyer can assist you in obtaining the post-accident value of your car from experts in the field, and handle every detail of your case in order to make sure you receive the compensation you are entitled to.
If you have been involved in an accident that has caused your vehicle to diminish in value, give us a call at 1-800-ASK-DAVE to receive your free consultation. We’re here to help!


WHY DISMUKE LAW?
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Decades of Experience
Dave has dedicated 15 years and a significant portion of his practice to auto accidents and has well-trained staff in place to help you.
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We Treat Clients with Excellent Personal Service, Respect & Dignity
Our core belief is that every detail must be studied, that every adversary must be out prepared and outworked and that every client must be treated like they are family.
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Personal Injury is All We Do
Dave is a Florida Bar Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer and focuses his practice on automobile accidents.
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$10 Million Judgment - Polk County
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Polk County jury awards judgment for wrongful death case.
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$1.1 Million Settlement - Hillsborough County
Wrongful death auto accident settlement for $1,100,000.
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$800 Thousand Auto Accident Settlement - Hillsborough County
Attorney David C. Dismuke negotiates a settlement in disputed causation surgery.
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$754 Thousand Auto Accident Settlement - Hardee County
Attorney David C. Dismuke obtains a verdict in Hardee County.


The team at Dismuke Law understands how our clients are affected by accidents and brings that empathy to the courtroom and settlement table every day.