A car accident is overwhelming, especially if your car is totaled. You might wonder if you can sue the person who caused it. The short answer is yes, you can.

What Does “Totaled” Mean?

When a car is totaled, the repair costs are higher than the vehicle’s actual value. For instance, if your car is worth $7,000 but repairs would cost $8,000, the insurance company considers it totaled. In such cases, your vehicle is likely beyond repair, and you’ll need a replacement.

Being left without a car disrupts your life. Losing a vehicle is a big inconvenience whether you need it for work, family, or daily tasks. The situation becomes more complicated if the at-fault driver’s insurance doesn’t fully cover the damages.

Who Pays for the Damages?

If the other driver caused the crash, their insurance should pay for the damages, including the value of your totaled car. Typically, they’ll offer the actual cash value (ACV), which your car was worth before the crash—not what you paid. The ACV is based on the car’s age, mileage, condition, and market value.

Sometimes, insurance companies offer less than what you believe your car is worth. You can negotiate with the insurer if you feel the settlement is unfair. However, you may need to consider filing a lawsuit if negotiations fail.

When Should You Sue?

Suing is an option when you can’t reach a fair agreement with the insurance company or the at-fault driver. common reasons to sue include:

1. Low Settlement Offers: If the insurance company’s payout doesn’t cover the cost of replacing your car, a lawsuit may help recover the difference.
2. Insurance Denial: If the insurance company denies your claim, you might need to sue the driver directly.
3. Uninsured Driver: If the driver doesn’t have insurance, a lawsuit may be your only option to recover damages.
4. Delayed Injuries: Even if you felt fine at the scene, some injuries, like whiplash, back pain, or Emotional distress, may appear days or weeks later. These delayed injuries can significantly impact your health and finances, making a lawsuit necessary.

What Can You Sue For?

In a lawsuit, you can claim several types of damages:

• Property Damage: The cost of replacing your totaled car.
• Medical Expenses: If delayed injuries appear later, you can claim for those medical costs.
• Rental Car Costs: Fees for a rental car while you wait for a settlement.
• Lost Wages: If you miss work because you don’t have a vehicle or due to injury, you can claim lost income.
• Additional Expenses: Out-of-pocket costs like towing, storage, or other related fees.

Delayed injuries can complicate the situation. They may require ongoing medical treatment, which could be expensive. Emotional distress from the accident can also be a factor, especially if it impacts your daily life.

Gathering Evidence

If you decide to sue, collecting evidence is crucial. You’ll need:

• Photos of the accident scene and the damage.
• The police report.
• Witness statements.
• Medical records, especially if you experience delayed injuries.
• Repair estimates or the valuation of your totaled car.

The more detailed your evidence, the stronger your case will be.

Small Claims vs. Civil Court

Where you file your lawsuit depends on the amount you’re seeking. In Washington, DC, small claims court handles cases up to $10,000. It’s faster, less formal, and you usually don’t need an attorney. If your damages exceed this limit or your case is more complex—especially if delayed injuries are involved—you’ll need to file in civil court.

Lawsuit Timeline

If you choose to sue, the process typically involves:

1. Filing the Complaint: A document outlining your claims against the at-fault driver.
2. Serving the Defendant: The person you’re suing must be formally notified.
3. Discovery: Both sides gather evidence and share information.
4. Negotiation: Many cases settle before trial. Your attorney can help negotiate a fair settlement.
5. Trial: A judge or jury will decide the case if no settlement is reached.

Delayed Injuries: What to Watch For

Even if you feel fine right after the crash, some injuries take time to show symptoms. Whiplash, for example, can cause pain that surfaces days later. Back injuries and emotional trauma can also emerge over time.   If delayed injuries appear, you’ll want to include those expenses in your lawsuit–this is why getting a medical evaluation soon after the accident is critical, even if you don’t feel hurt immediately.

Alternatives to Suing

Before heading to court, explore other options:

• Negotiation: Directly negotiating with the insurance company or the at-fault driver can sometimes lead to a better settlement.
• Mediation: A neutral third party helps both sides reach an agreement.
• Arbitration: A more formal process where a third party decides the outcome without going to court.

Consult an attorney specializing in car accidents to explore your options and protect your rights.

Florida lawmakers recently passed HB 7071,the largest tax relief bill in the state’s history. The legislation includes tax breaks for everything from diapers and sports gear to pet food and school supplies. The measure is estimated to save Floridians an additional $190 million in taxes over the next two years. It also expands 10 sales tax holidays and is expected to help families across Florida lower their tax burden.

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Tax relief in Florida is available for hurricane victims who have suffered property losses. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has declared the state a disaster and has extended deadlines for those who are unable to pay their taxes. This means that Florida residents who had to endure power outages and loss of business because of Hurricane Ian may qualify for tax breaks.

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The tax break also applies to military members. The Florida Constitution gives property tax exemptions to deployed service members,widows and widowers,and the blind and disabled. Last year,Florida expanded the tax exemption to include unclassified military operations. These benefits will help Florida residents afford their homes,cars,and other expenses.

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Another Florida tax break program is the Florida Internship Tax Credit Program,which grants businesses a tax credit of up to $10,000 for each student intern they hire. The program is contingent on voter approval of a constitutional amendment in November 2022.

It can be frustrating when your RO system is on the fritz, like when the reverse osmosis tank isn’t filling up. Not only does that prevent your water from being filtered, it can potentially damage the system, becoming a costly problem. Even if the tank is working fine right now, it’s important to understand how to correct issues before they happen. 

If your RO tank isn’t filling, let’s take a look at potential reasons why and how to correct them. 

7 Reasons Why Your Reverse Osmosis Tank Isn’t Filling Up & How to Fix Them

Low House Water Pressure

One of the most common reasons for a tank not filling is the house’s water pressure itself. Ideally, for an RO system to work, the water pressure must be 60 psi, but a range of 40 to 80 is acceptable too. When the pressure is too low, the water can’t push through the RO membranes, preventing the tank from filling. If the pressure is low at all the faucets in the house, it is likely a temporary issue with the local water company, in which case you should give them a call.

Low RO Tank Pressure

If all the faucets in the house are working normally then the pressure in the tank may be the issue. The tank should have a pressure of 7 to 8 psi without any water in it; to confirm or see what the pressure is, locate the valve (typically covered by a blue plastic cap) on the side of the tank near the bottom. After removing all the water from the tank, use a pressure gauge to see what it is. If low, add air with a pump until reaching 7 or 8 psi, and be sure to only add a small amount of air at a time or risk rupturing the air bladder.

Broken Tank Bladder

If you only get one cup of water from the RO faucet (at normal water pressure) and then it quickly turns to a trickle or small stream, it’s usually a sign the air bladder in the storage tank has ruptured. Unfortunately, the only solution to this is to replace the storage tank itself.

Clogged RO Membrane

Like other water filtering systems, the components that do the filtering need regular changes. This is a common reason for the tank not filling up, the membranes being clogged, preventing water from passing through them and stopping the tank from filling. These membranes are fragile and can easily become clogged if not switched out regularly, generally every 24 months depending on usage and water quality. To solve this, have a technician come to replace the membranes with new ones.

Clogged Reverse Osmosis System Filters

A reverse osmosis system filters water in two ways, through membranes and cartridges (filters). If the membranes are new or recently replaced, a clogged filter may be the reason the tank isn’t filling. The carbon blocks (filters) should be changed every six months to once a year depending on water quality and usage. If the water tastes like chlorine or different than usual, this may be the reason for the tank not filling and only requiring a new cartridge.

Improper Water Feed Connection

Another reason for the tank not filling is with the water feed connection itself, which can happen in two ways: there is a kink in the water line or it was improperly installed. Look at pictures of the installation that show the proper feed connection to ensure it is hooked up correctly and double-check that the water supply line valve is in the fully open position.

Improper Water Drain Connection

The drain saddle, where the wastewater carries contaminants away, can sometimes cause the reverse osmosis tank to not fill. To see if this is the cause, first check if it is installed correctly by checking the installation pictures. Another related error may be the ASO valve not shutting off, which can be tested by turning the tank valve off to see if the ASO stops flowing to the drain, which can take a few minutes to see.

If the ASO is found to be the culprit, there are a few reasons for this:

• The flow restrictor is missing or failed, signaled by a large amount of water flowing to the drain and a lot of noise.
• The tank isn’t filling.
• The ASO valve is stuck in a closed position. If this is the case, then completely disconnect the valve to make sure all pressure is off the assembly and replace it.
• The check valve may be bleeding pressure, which can be tested with a full tank of water while the tank valve is open. First, turn off the water supply and if it is still flowing to the drain, then the check valve is leaking pressure and needs to be replaced. It’s an uncommon error, but is Worth checking. 

Ensuring Your Reverse Osmosis Unit Functions Correctly

As with any machine, errors can occur, and it’s important to know what to look for and to regularly check the RO system. Some of these issues do require Professional assistance, especially if troubleshooting hasn’t helped or solved the issue outright. 

We at H20 Solutions are dedicated to empowering individuals who want water their way, delivering safeguards to improve the home’s water supply and properly maintaining the filtering system with the right tools. If you have RO system problems, we invite you to connect with our experts and explore our selection of tools to help get your water back to the quality you deserve. Click below for more information.
    

H2O Solutions | Reverse Osmosis