As residents of Florida know all too well, the idyllic life of the sunshine state is periodically threatened during hurricane season. During that period, which runs from June 1st to November 30th and peaks in September, there is a 40 percent chance that one of the hurricanes that makes landfall on the East Coast of the U.S. will impact Florida. Because of the state’s location at the southern tip of the coast where the waters are warmest, hurricanes in Florida have a strong likelihood of being intense. If you live in Florida and have suffered severe property damage as the result of a hurricane, even with superior homeowner’s insurance and a supplemental policy for flood damage, it may be difficult to recoup your losses. This is why it is essential that you work with a trustworthy, experienced hurricane damage attorney from William J. Roe, P.A.
From each of our three offices, we make it our mission to protect the rights of property owners as they recover from the devastation a hurricane can bring. We have the knowledge and fortitude to successfully negotiate with insurers whose main concern is their bottom line. Moreover, we have a track record of winning substantial settlements for individuals and families who were in danger of being taken advantage of by their insurance companies. When negotiations don’t bring satisfactory results, we are fully prepared to fight aggressively for your rights to fair compensation in a court of law.
Property Damage Hurricanes Cause
Hurricanes carry two major destructive forces: wind and rain. While wind is what defines a hurricane, rain that results in flooding and water damage can be equally harmful. As soon as you come to William J. Roe for assistance, our highly skilled hurricane damage attorneys will take steps to get you the settlement you need to:
- Pay for repair of your home and other property
- Pay for replacement of pieces of equipment, furniture, and/or structural materials that have been totally destroyed
- Pay any “loss of use” expenses incurred while repair or rebuilding are in process
Loss of use expenses include costs you incur for necessary housing, dining out, clothing replacement, commutation, etc. while your home and its facilities, as well as your possessions, are damaged or inaccessible.
Steps Our Hurricane Damage Attorneys Will Take To Win Your Case
Although most insurers, though on the opposing team, negotiate in good faith, some try to cut your claim unreasonably. Whether your insurer is behaving well or not, you can count on the offices of William J. Roe to leverage our in-depth understanding of hurricane damage and of how insurance claims work against insurers’ efforts to winnow down the compensation you are entitled to. After all, you pay high insurance premiums for a reason. In order to provide convincing evidence to your insurer during negotiations, or to the court during trial, we will:
- Conduct a thorough investigation of your home and its needed repairs and replacements
- Have a fair and complete appraisal of possessions that have been damaged in the storm
- Demand reasonable recompense for your out-of-pocket costs during the storm’s aftermath
- Fight to make sure your claim is processed as quickly as possible
Remember, having skilled hurricane damage attorneys in your corner can make all the difference in whether you and your family end up with the resources you need to rebuild your life.
Defining the Ferocity of a Hurricane
Hurricanes are defined by the speed of their winds. In order to qualify as a hurricane, a storm must have sustained winds of at least 74 miles per hour. As anyone who watches or listens to weather reports knows, hurricanes are categorized on a scale of 1 to 5, Category 5 being the worst.
Category 1 hurricanes have sustained winds of 74 to 95 mph and will uproot some trees and power lines. They may also do some damage to structures, especially those that are not especially sturdy.
Category 2 hurricanes have winds of 96 to 110 mph and routinely knock over many trees. They may also interfere with electrical power and cause damage to roofs and siding. Days to weeks of recovery are usually necessary after Category 2 storms.
Category 3 hurricanes, with winds of 111 to 129 mph, are capable of lifting roofs off strongly constructed homes and may interrupt water and electricity for days or weeks. Getting to safety and beginning repairs is made harder when Category 3 hurricanes hit because roads are blocked by fallen trees, downed power lines, and structural debris. Recovery can take weeks or even months.
Category 4 hurricanes bear down with winds from 130 to 156 mph, doing massive damage, not only felling most trees and power lines, but destroying a great many buildings. After a Category 4 hurricane, a large region may be uninhabitable for many months afterwards.
Category 5 hurricanes present with winds that race by at 157 mph or more. Though relatively rare, they are likely to damage or destroy almost all frame structures in their path, not to mention cause extreme flooding. For communities to recover from a Category 5 hurricane takes intensive labor and enormous resources, often lasting a year or longer.
It should be remembered that the stronger the structural foundations and infrastructure of the area hit by any category of hurricane, the better that region will survive the overpowering winds and rain. Notoriously, poorer areas, in which buildings or housing units may be of flimsier construction (e.g. trailer parks), are more prone to serious damage or even complete destruction.
Contact Our Experienced Florida Hurricane Damage Lawyers
Don’t let the force of a hurricane force you and your family out of the home you love. With the help of our sharp hurricane damage attorneys, you have the very best chance of having your insurance claim maximized. We will fight vigorously to make sure you are able to repair or replace:
- Broken windows or doors
- Lost or damaged roof, walls, porch or adjacent structures
- Furniture, appliances, electronic devices
- Cars, boats, or other vehicles
- Clothing and other personal property
We understand how traumatic hurricane damage can be and will work tirelessly so that you are covered for the cost of reconstructing your home, garage, pool, shed, and even landscaping after a devastating storm. Contact William J. Roe to find out just how effective, efficient and compassionate hurricane damage lawyers can be.