JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Drivers whose cars were damaged on a long stretch of Interstate 10 last month said they’re getting the runaround from companies they tried to file claims with.
The recent emails from News4JAX viewers aren’t about new damages to cars while driving on the interstate and that could be because the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) started sweeping more.
RELATED | Hundreds of I-10 drivers share photos & stories of damaged cars and windshields
But viewers said now they’re being denied claims from the company contracted to do the maintenance on the road.
The issues come just as FDOT is set to begin its resurfacing project on I-10. The first will be between the Nassau County line and State Road 23. This summer, another project will start between Chaffee Road and Interstate 295.
But some drivers who shared photos of their car windshields chipped or cracked from the deteriorating roads said they aren’t seeing the relief, not because the road hasn’t improved, but because their claims were denied — again.
FDOT told News4JAX to tell drivers to file claims with them if their car was damaged. But some of those claims came back denied.
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FDOT Risk Management directed people with damages to file with Jorgensen Contract Services (JCS) because FDOT has a maintenance agreement with the company.
Now those who filed with Jorgensen told News4JAX their claims were also denied because they “have not presented evidence that fits the criteria to place liability on Jorgensen.”
The company told them to file through their personal auto insurance.
“I know my insurance would cover but they shouldn’t have to because of Jorgensen and FDOT’s negligence,” one woman told News4JAX in an email.
“I don’t want to keep putting claims through my insurance to get my windshield replaced and be penalized for doing so when this damage is not my fault and has been completely unavoidable and no one [FDOT or Jorgensen] will help me,” another person said.
Jorgensen has a corporate office in Maryland, but there is a regional office in Jacksonville.
Someone inside the office on Larsen Road said Wednesday their office recently moved and they would pass News4JAX’s information to the manager who was out in the field.
News4JAX called and sent several emails to Jorgensen’s corporate office in the last month.
“Thank you for calling Jorgensen. This mailbox is monitored by the third-party claims department and checked daily,” said a voicemail for the company.
News4JAX couldn’t find out anything about the third-party department, but we left a message asking what evidence must be presented to fit its criteria to make them liable.
News4JAX also reached out to FDOT on Wednesday to ask what its role is in ensuring contractors fulfill claims and if it has guidelines for contractors dealing with claims.
FDOT responded with a lengthy emailed statement:
“The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) takes its responsibility in the safety and maintenance of the roadway seriously. Damage claims occur when a claimant alleges FDOT, or its contractor was negligent in its responsibility to maintain the roadway.
Claims are reviewed similar to typical insurance processes. In some cases, damage claims have been denied due to insufficient evidence linking the reported damages to I-10. It is imperative for claimants to provide detailed information, including evidence such as police reports, specific locations, times of day, lane locations and dates when alleged damage occurs. Without this information, it becomes challenging to establish a clear connection between the reported damage and the state of the roadway.
FDOT and its partners must be accountable for taxpayer dollars and cannot guarantee damage claims are fulfilled based on allegations alone. In cases where negligence is identified, appropriate action is taken, and claims are fulfilled.
The project was advanced to a February letting with bids to complete the work due today. The contract requires the contractor to begin construction activities in late April 2024.”