Atlanta Diminished
Value Attorneys
If your vehicle sustained damage in a car accident, you may be entitled to recover the costs of repairs or replacement, as well as the lost value of your car after the accident. Car accident victims rarely consider the value their car loses once an accident occurs, and insurance companies tend to be quiet on the subject because they don’t want to pay.
An Atlanta diminished value lawyer at our firm can recover the money you deserve for all your vehicle damage. Call Buckhead Law Saxton Accident Injury Lawyers P.C. to speak with a member of our team during a free consultation.
An Atlanta diminished value lawyer at our firm can recover the money you deserve for all your vehicle damage. Call Buckhead Law Saxton Accident Injury Lawyers P.C. to speak with a member of our team during a free consultation.
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Trust Our Diminished Value Law Firm With Over 40 Years of Experience
If you have been involved in an accident and suffered injuries, you may need a lawyer for personal injury to help you seek the compensation you deserve. Our law firm has been serving Atlanta for more than 40 years. We have longevity in the legal world because we put our clients’ needs first. The accident injury attorneys on our team focus on obtaining the money our clients deserve. Our history of securing millions of dollars in compensation in case results for injury victims all over the state shows that we know how to do just that.
We take pride in knowing that hundreds of clients continue to keep in touch with us and refer family and friends to our firm years after we resolve their cases. We want you to be one of them.
If a car crash damaged your vehicle, our diminished value claims lawyer can help by:
We take pride in knowing that hundreds of clients continue to keep in touch with us and refer family and friends to our firm years after we resolve their cases. We want you to be one of them.
If a car crash damaged your vehicle, our diminished value claims lawyer can help by:
Determining the value of your car before and after the crash
Calculating the value your car has lost (i.e., its diminished value) to determine the amount of compensation you should receive
Filing your car accident claim
Communicating with the insurance company, legal teams, and third parties involved in your case
Negotiating a fair settlement for your losses and injuries
Filing a personal injury lawsuit for the compensation you deserve
Diminished value claims can be difficult to navigate when insurers routinely try to undervalue the losses you’ve suffered. If you don’t know the state diminished value laws that govern these insurance disputes in Atlanta, we invite you to connect with us. A lawyer at our firm can represent you in your vehicle damage claim and protect your right to fair compensation.
A Diminished Value Lawyer at Our Firm Can Help at Any Stage of Your Claim
No matter what step of the claims process you are in, our diminished value lawyers can help. With years of experience under our belts, our attorneys are not intimidated by big insurance.
You can turn to Buckhead Law Saxton Accident Injury Lawyers P.C. for help with your diminished value claim if:
You are initiating a car accident claim.
You have already filed your car accident claim and are waiting for a response from the insurance company.
You are facing challenges with the insurer undervaluing your claim.
Your claim was denied.
Diminished Value Claims Under Georgia Law
In Georgia, the big insurance companies generally use a procedure known as ‘17C’ to calculate damages associated with diminished value. Under the state’s regulations and case law, insurers are required to account for any depreciation (inherent diminished value) that occurs to a vehicle as a result of it simply being in a crash.
It should be noted that these calculations are somewhat opaque. Sadly, insurance companies try to exploit the inherent ambiguity in calculating diminished value, and in turn, try to push accident victims into wholly unfair settlement offers, pocketing the extra money for themselves. You need to know your rights: Under Georgia law, you deserve full compensation for any market value that was lost by your vehicle due to a crash
It should be noted that these calculations are somewhat opaque. Sadly, insurance companies try to exploit the inherent ambiguity in calculating diminished value, and in turn, try to push accident victims into wholly unfair settlement offers, pocketing the extra money for themselves. You need to know your rights: Under Georgia law, you deserve full compensation for any market value that was lost by your vehicle due to a crash
Three Types of Diminished Value You Can Claim
We find three types of diminished value:
01
Immediate Diminished Value
As the name suggests, immediate diminished value is the amount your car is worth right after the traffic accident and before any repairs. Some courts use immediate diminished value to compensate accident victims with lost value claims, but insurance companies do not typically use it as drivers opt to repair their cars under applicable insurance coverage.
02
Inherent Diminished Value
Inherent diminished value refers to the value that is lost automatically upon the car’s involvement in a crash. The mere knowledge that the car has an accident history deters buyers. Some may not consider purchasing the car, while others would only be willing to pay a price much lower than its market value.
03
Repair-Related Diminished Value
The repairs to your car after accident can also reduce its post-crash value, even if the intent was to restore it to its pre-loss condition. If your car received aftermarket parts rather than parts from the original manufacturer, your car inevitably would not be worth its pre-loss value.
The same applies to the use of low-quality materials to make repairs or poor workmanship. When the repairs are done improperly or simply substandard, it reduces the value of your vehicle.
If you don’t know the type of diminished value that applies to your car damage, our diminished value claims lawyers in Atlanta can review your case. We can obtain the expert opinions of vehicle repair companies or diminished value appraisers to help determine which type of lost value best suits your situation.
The same applies to the use of low-quality materials to make repairs or poor workmanship. When the repairs are done improperly or simply substandard, it reduces the value of your vehicle.
If you don’t know the type of diminished value that applies to your car damage, our diminished value claims lawyers in Atlanta can review your case. We can obtain the expert opinions of vehicle repair companies or diminished value appraisers to help determine which type of lost value best suits your situation.
Why You May Want to Hire an Atlanta Diminished Value Lawyer on Our Team
Insurance companies may try to tell you what your diminished value is worth. This amount is almost always well below what you are entitled to recover. Many insurers use the 17C formula to calculate the value and falsely claim that the formula is not only state ordered but also endorsed.
This is a lie by omission as the Supreme Court of Georgia, in Mabry, ordered State Farm to come up with a procedure for calculating diminished value damages and then approved it for use in that specific case, which was a class action suit. The state did not order the use of the 17C formula in all diminished value claims.
This is a lie by omission as the Supreme Court of Georgia, in Mabry, ordered State Farm to come up with a procedure for calculating diminished value damages and then approved it for use in that specific case, which was a class action suit. The state did not order the use of the 17C formula in all diminished value claims.
Gathering Evidence Is Key
Insurance adjusters may also try to convince you that as long as your car has been restored to its pre-loss condition via repairs, you are not entitled to compensation for diminished value. This is another falsehood.
In the Mabry decision, the state Supreme Court ruled that diminished value is based on the pre-loss value of the vehicle, not its pre-loss condition. If you are not familiar with the case law, insurance companies can take advantage of your lack of knowledge and undervalue your Atlanta diminished value claim.
In the Mabry decision, the state Supreme Court ruled that diminished value is based on the pre-loss value of the vehicle, not its pre-loss condition. If you are not familiar with the case law, insurance companies can take advantage of your lack of knowledge and undervalue your Atlanta diminished value claim.
We free case assessments. We can discuss your next steps with you, including explaining our services and how we can manage this process on your behalf. You can get answers to your questions for free today. Contact us now to learn more.
We Can Hold the Insurance Company Accountable for Bad Faith
The state’s Insurance and Fire Safety Commissioner has explicitly ordered all insurance companies to cease and desist any language that asserts or misleads claimants to believe that the 17C formula is the accepted standard for determining diminished value after a car crash. This intentionally misleading information leads claimants to believe that they cannot challenge the lowball settlement offers insurance companies make when, in fact, there are other methods to calculate these damages.
In addition, under state law, car insurance agencies must:
In addition, under state law, car insurance agencies must:
Adjust all claims both promptly and fairly
Make a reasonable effort to investigate and evaluate a claim
Make a good-faith effort to settle the claim
Pay out no less than the amount reasonably owed to the claimant
Our diminished value car claim lawyers serving Atlanta can handle the insurance company for you. Backed by the laws of the state, we apply pressure to ensure they pay you what they owe for your vehicle damage and hold them accountable for their misconduct as well.
Client Reviews
“I would recommend the professionals of Buckhead Law Saxton Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C. to anyone looking for a low effort experience. The constantly negotiated my case and received everything I needed after my accident and more!”
— Alicia L Via Google
“I came to BuckHead Law trying to get a payment under “Diminished Value” for my car. They took my case and handled it as if they had done these claims on a regular basis. I had NO clue I was the first person that they won this type of claim for. I have since referred my daughter and 2 nieces to them and everybody is amazed at the work they do. Hands down the best law group in Atlanta!!”
— Ursula Johnson via Google
“This was the first accident I’ve been involved in and I am so excited that I went through it with Buckhead Law Saxton Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C.. They are very amazing company and I will refer them to anyone. I love how my attorney kept me updated and kept in touch with me I did not have to go and find him very amazing company. Thank you”
— Ashley Shankle via Google
“I received representation from Buckhead Law Saxton Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C. on an accident caused by another driver. They negotiated with the insurance company’s lawyers effectively, and even after my case was settled and closed they negotiated to decrease my medical bills. I would 100% recommend this law group.”
— Alicia T. Morrow, GA via Yelp
“They really care and they got me a great settlement!”
— Carley N. Jasper, GA via Yelp
“Buckhead Law Saxton Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C. is by far the best EVER!! Very professional and they fight hard to get the pay out you deserve. There was never a time I called or had questions that they didn’t make sure I was well informed, and knew what was going on every step of the way. I have since referred my daughter and my 2 nieces and will not hesitate to tell anyone else about them. Thank you guys for being the best Law firm in Atlanta..”
— Ursula J. Atlanta, GA via Yelp
“Got paid for real, just wish I had went to all my appointments like they told me to do…. I would have got more… Lol either way it paid off got paid fast plus they are very helpful I recommend 100%”
— Zakariya C. Norcross, GA via YELP
“I’ve worked with Buckhead Law Saxton Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C. on my daughter’s accident. They handled everything for me in a professional manner and I was very pleased with how everything was handled. Definitely recommend them!! Five stars”
— — Bond C. Smyrna, GA via Yelp
“I love these people, it is such a great environment! Everyone there is super understanding. They keep you involved so you always know what is going on. Even though they are all professionals, they make you feel like you are a part of their little family. It is really great experience!”
— Trey K. Midtown, Atlanta, GA Via Yelp
“I have never experienced a group of lawyers that are really concerned about your case and truly work hard to get you the most out of your settlement….best experience I’ve ever had.
— Vickie W. Atlanta, GA via Yelp
The Statute of Limitations for Diminished Value Claims
State law generally provides for years to file a property damage claim. If you believe you are entitled to collect compensation from your insurer or a third-party insurance company, you may want to consult our Atlanta diminished value attorney sooner rather than later, especially if you also have other types of car accident damages resulting from the car accident.
Learn more today. Contact us online or by calling
(404) 890-5631 or (770) GET PAID.
