State Farm is asking a federal court to dismiss the lawsuit that the injured Seebachans filed against the insurer for its alleged role in John Eagle Collision Centre's negligent repair on a Honda Fit, according to Bodyshop Business magazine.
State Farm “specifically denies that it coerced or forced John Eagle to perform substandard repairs” and “denies that it coerced or enticed any body shop to not follow vehicle manufacturer’s procedures, cut corners, take safety shortcuts or do anything that jeopardizes members of the motoring public.”
The Tracy Law Firm of Dallas filed the lawsuit on behalf of the Seebachans in October, immediately after a Dallas jury specified that John Eagle Collision Centre pay the couple over $35 millionin damages.
While John Eagle Collision Centre admitted it chose to make money over safety obligations he also said the shop's repair proceedures were guided by the insurer. Laywer Todd Tracy states that insurer State Farm “is liable for authorizing, approving, ratifying and/or dictating the conduct of John Eagle.” The lawsuit contends that the repairer was forced to use the repair methods by the insurer (gluing instead of spot welding the roof) which eventuated in the couple being trapped inside the burning car following a collision.
State Farm is reported say it lacks “sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations.” However, the insurer admits that “its advertising has included references to it being “like a good neighbor.”
The Seebachans’ complaint counters that “State Farm’s supposed ‘good neighbor’ policy was nowhere to be seen when it paid John Eagle Collision Center for ignoring Honda’s body repair specifications.”