Dallas Couple Plans to Re-File Lawsuit Against State Farm; Attorney Believes Case Is Strong

Dallas Couple Plans to Re-File Lawsuit Against State Farm; Attorney Believes Case Is Strong

The Seebachans’ attorney said they plan to re-file the State Farm complaint when the trial for their related lawsuit against John Eagle Collision Center is over.

State Farm

State Farm might not be out of the woods yet.

Matthew and Marcia Seebachan recently dropped their “neighbor from hell” lawsuit against State Farm for the insurer’s alleged role in a slapdash repair that exacerbated their injuries in a 2013 collision.

But the Seebachans’ attorney said they plan to re-file the State Farm complaint when the trial for their related lawsuit against John Eagle Collision Center is over.

The John Eagle trial is scheduled for Sept. 25.

“We’ve been ready to go to trial against John Eagle for several months now, so we don’t want to do anything that would affect that trial date,” Andy Counts of the Dallas-based Tracy Law Firm told BodyShop Business. “Once the trial with John Eagle is over, we will be re-filing the case against State Farm.”

In the lawsuit against John Eagle Collision Center – which seeks more than $1 million in damages – the Seebachans allege that the body shop ignored the OEM specifications when repairing the hail-damaged roof of their 2010 Honda Fit before they owned it.

In a deposition, the body shop director said insurers dictate the shop’s repair procedures.

Since filing the State Farm lawsuit, the Tracy Law Firm has been emboldened by feedback from other collision repairers, according to Counts.

“We’ve received calls from various other body shops or people who used to be affiliated with body shops trying to give us information about what State Farm has done to them, what State Farm has done in other states,” he told BodyShop Business.

“Whether that would be relevant or admissible in our case against State Farm, I don’t know. But apparently there are a lot of people in the body shop industry who have negative things to say about State Farm or who have had negative experiences with State Farm for these same types of issues.

“So we’ve seen nothing that would dissuade us or make us change our opinion of our case against State Farm. In fact, the reverse is true.”

You May Also Like

2024 SEMA Show Registration Now Open

Representatives from more than 2,000 companies prepare to select their exhibit space during priority space selection April 29-May 15.

Registration for the 2024 SEMA Show is now open. Taking place Nov. 5-8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the 2024 SEMA Show will reveal the future of the aftermarket as attendees connect with thousands of leading manufacturers showcasing the latest products, trends and technology in the industry.

Representatives from more than 2,000 companies prepare to select their exhibit space during priority space selection April 29-May 15. The weeks-long selection process will lay the foundation for this year’s floor plan, which will encompass millions of square feet of displays throughout the entire Las Vegas Convention Center and surrounding parking lots.

Repairify Appoints New VP of General Automotive Repair Markets

Industry veteran Ben Johnson will lead asTech Mechanical’s business development and product management teams.

ALLDATA Adds Repair Planner to Collision Repair Platform

Repair Planner automates the repair planning process and helps shops plan necessary inspections and structural repairs with OEM accuracy.

AkzoNobel Announces New Business Development Manager

Brian Martin has joined AkzoNobel’s Automotive & Specialty Coatings division as business development manager for North America.

Longtime Family Collision Repair Business Joins Forces with CARSTAR

JC Auto Rebuilders of Rockford, Ill., has rebranded as CARSTAR Team JC Auto Rebuilders.

Other Posts

Lee’s Auto Body: Established in 1916

Lee’s Auto Body was established in 1916 in Long Island City, N.Y., by Lee Heimuller, a blacksmith.

ProColor Collision Network Expands in California

ProColor Collision Baldwin Park is owned by Ruben Jandres, who has more than 10 years of experience in collision and nearly 20 years in automotive.

Mike Anderson Makes Successful Debut at NORTHEAST Show

Anderson’s main message was: Being successful tomorrow is dependent upon what one does today.

Body Shop History: A Look Back in Time

The auto body industry has a deep and rich history rooted in family.