Graves Thomas Car Accident Claim Tips

Graves Thomas Car Accident Claim Tips

One of the most frustrating issues that people face after being involved in a car accident is dealing with an insurance company regarding their property damage claims.  Insurance companies are responsible for repairing or replacing your vehicle at fair market value. The issues are the methods that are utilized by the insurance companies to determine your cars value may not be fair to the insured.

In evaluating property damages claims, insurance companies use tactics such as pricing aftermarket or junkyard parts.  The costs of these parts are much lower and can reduce the value of your claim. They also utilize repair shops that may or may not perform the quality of work you desire for your car and provide services to insurance companies at lower rates.  A good practice is to go to a shop you know and trust and get a separate estimate. This will allow you to compare what is being offered by the insurance company.

In total loss claims, if the insurance company wants to total your car they can utilize more expensive parts to increase the value of the property damage if it is in their interest to total the car instead of repairing it.  They can also use the less expensive parts to keep from totaling your car if they find it advantageous not to total your car. There are many methods utilized by claims adjusters to manipulate how your property damage claim is handled.

In determining the value of your car, claims adjusters assign a “condition” to your car. It can be “excellent”, “good”, “average”,” fair”, etc.  In addition to assigning a condition, they also “double dip” by reducing your claim due to issues such as worn tires, worn interior, and body damage.  The problem is, if there is an issue with the car, then that is why is will be deemed as “fair” or “average” or whatever condition they assign. If such a lower condition is assigned, it is unfair to further reduce the value of the car because of the very defects that caused the assignment of the condition.

It can be overwhelming dealing with property damage claims.  Some lawyers do not get involved in assisting their injury clients in the property damage claims.  At Graves Thomas, this is part of our overall service to our clients. We aggressively handle our injury clients’ property damage claims quickly and efficiently, making sure our clients the money they deserve.

Graves Thomas Halloween Safety Tips


Graves Thomas Halloween Safety Tips

Let’s get ready to sugar rush! Halloween is one day that many families enjoy and look forward to trick-or-treating each October. There’s nothing quite like getting creative with costumes and getting candy and goodies while showing off your special outfit. While a fun night of treats awaits, we have some practical safety tips to help ensure you stay injury-free and avoid scares lurking on Halloween.

1. Always remember to look both ways when crossing the street and try to avoid walking between parked cars.

2. Stay in groups and have a buddy to help stay safe while traversing the neighborhood.

3. Carry a flashlight with you and stay within areas well-lit by streetlamps if possible to ensure a safer time.

4. Younger children should always be accompanied by a parent or adult.

5. If driving through a neighborhood, drive slowly and be very alert. Children are twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween. With increased foot-traffic drivers should use headlights to be more visible for trick-or-treaters.

6. Make sure that your child’s costume fits properly to avoid tripping. Avoid masks that obstruct vision or outfits that aren’t fire-resistant.

7. Add glow-in-the-dark accessories that can make your child visible in the dark, or wear reflective or bright colors to help allow for visibility.

8. Check all candy before allowing your child to eat it, especially to ensure there are no choking hazards. Make sure each piece is factory sealed and unopened – unfortunately , safety concerns with candy that has been tampered with are on the rise.

9. Be sure to check your local trick-or-treating times to make sure that you are out and home at an appropriate time.

10. Keep your property safe for trick-or-treaters. Thus, you should make sure your walkways are clear, your porch is well lit, and your decorations are don’t create fire hazards or trip visitors. You may want to put warning signs by uneven pavement, steps, or conditions that could threaten the well-being trick-or-treating… liability for property owners is a very real Halloween issue.

11. HAVE FUN!

Graves Thomas Drives To Provide A Healthy Start


Graves Thomas Drives To Provide A Healthy Start

Graves Thomas Injury Law Group knows the importance of community, and what better way to show their support than to help provide for the newest members of our county.

“We are thrilled to have the support of partners like Graves Thomas Injury Law Group to give back to mommies and babies of Indian River County,” said Healthy Start Coalition Executive Director,  Andrea Berry.

Founding attorney Joseph H. Graves, partner Matthew M. Thomas and attorney Christopher Rotunda stopped by the non-profit’s new offices to deliver diapers, pull-ups and home safety elements like electrical plug covers and cabinet locks.

“In a practice that has seen injuries sustained from household issues like outlets or getting into medicine cabinets, we recognize the importance of safety measures for families,”  commented Graves, “By providing those little safety tools and helping supply items Healthy Start specified, we aim to truly help provide a healthy start for our area families.”

“Our families have shared the need for basic items like diapers, whether newborn or pull-ups for toddlers,” said Berry. “This  donation helps meet that need.”

Indian River County Healthy Start Coalition offers a broad spectrum of programs to ensure that every pregnant woman and their young children receive all necessary healthcare and support services, from prenatal resources, childbirth education and touchpoints in the first years. Healthy Start oversees a variety of classes and support roles that impact over 91% of the families in the county and endeavor to decrease infant mortality, increase familial connections while expanding a child’s horizons.

Headquartered in Vero Beach, Graves Thomas Injury Law Group spans the Treasure and Space Coast and is dedicated to representing individuals and family members impacted by a serious injury, illness or disability. For more information about Graves Thomas Injury Law Group, visit gravesthomas.com or call 772.569.8155.

Graves Thomas Gifts Back To School Backpacks and Supplies


Graves Thomas Gifts Back To School Backpacks and Supplies

When it comes to helping get ready for back-to-school, Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group answered the call, donating supply-filled, school-ready backpacks for the Victory and Orangewood Apartments Back To School Bash.  One-hundred-twenty-five area students received durable, high-gear backpacks filled with items that are on every Indian River County school’s list.

From packs of crayons and pencils to glue sticks and packs of paper, the team at Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group sought to ensure students were equipped with what they needed to start the school year right.

“Our aim is to ensure every student is prepared and can dive in to the school year with confidence,” said Joe Graves, founding partner of Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group. “We want to help instill the importance of education and provide a little assurance that they are supported and have the supplies that assist them in their scholastic journey.”

The school supply initiative of the Apartments, which are funded through the Department of Agriculture, serves as an three-fold opportunity to alleviate financial burdens, emphasize the importance of school and to serve as a channel to redirect children toward positive behaviors.

Headquartered in Vero Beach, Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group spans the Treasure and Space Coast and is dedicated to representing individuals and family members impacted by a serious injury, illness or disability. For more information about Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group, visit gravesthomas.com or call 772.569.8155.