Tipped Off: After Eight Months, Insurance Company Denies Teenager’s Claim After Severe Pothole Fall
A long wait for a dismissive answer. This is what happened to 19-year-old Sara Berti, who suffered a nasty fall on March 16th. Riding her scooter on with the aptly named “Strada Lunga,” a notorious bumpy stretch of road, the young woman found herself stumbling into a concealed pothole.
Struck by the force of the impact, Sarah’s scooter overturned, flinging her to the ground with brutal force. The consequences were serious: multiple contusions, compounded by a fractured nail phalanx on her right foot. Bruises, abrasions and lacerations littered her face and limbs. Jules, against all synthesis seemingly poised. Luckily, her helmet took the brunt of the impact, potentially saving her from more serious injury.
The incident landed Sara in the hospital, where she received treatment for her injuries.
Formal complaint letter
Seeking compensation for the accident, her law firm contacted the insurance company of the Municipality of Pesaro, which Itas serves as their O their insurer. After an eight-month wait, the firm finally received a response denying liability. The company stated that there was no evidence to support their culpability.
“When entering Strada Lunga no. 14,” stated Dr. Mengucci, “Our client was unable to avoid the numerous potholes and fell to the ground after a rollover. Her injuries and the extensive damage to the vehicle speak for themselves,” he added. Her legal counsel insists that it was the fault of the uneven road surface, and that Itas Mutua should take responsibility.
“We believe the condition of the road was clearly a contributing factor in this accident,” Dr Mengucci added.
But that wasn’t the end of it. The saga took another turn.
A long, arduous wait
The response finally arrived after eight months and nowhere to be found was awarded after the young woman’s family launched a formal investigation.
The insurance company argued that a causal link between the malfunctioning roads and Sarah’s injuries hadn’t been proven. Instead, they claimed the area was clearly marked as a road with limited speed and rough surfaces "given the signs with "limit of 30 km/h and rough road". The somber reality is that the young woman’s predicament highlights the challenges people regularly face on poorly maintained public roads. Itas Mutua insists that the pedestrian in question wasn’t able to notice the potholes.
"We believe that the road wasn’t in a condition that posed a real, hidden danger,” they stated in their denial. “
This happens, unfortunately, Q "It was attributable to independent causes, not attributable to the Municipality’s responsibility," it an accident not applicable and not a danger to the municipality.
Legal Recourse
However.
“We
However," the legal hectare echoes what was to do
The young woman’s corset wasn’t pleased with the decision.
"We will be pursuing this matter further, disagree with
Itas’s findings.
" Dr. Mengucci’s firm marked its wish.
“What also lacks consideration for pedestrians and drivers is, we intend to pursue our case with Ivass (Institute that supervises insurance) If necessary," concluded Dr. Mengucci. In addition, it seldom this outcome.
“In too many cases,”
a serious injury that field, is a minefield, " said Dr. Mengucci when contacted by
The incident
on its way to a lawsuit against the
stating that those lived there. They have
What steps is Dr. Mengucci taking to support Sara Berti’s case against Itas Mutua?
## The Insurance Squeeze: A Teenager’s Struggle for Compensation
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today we’re discussing a particularly frustrating case involving a young woman who was seriously injured after falling on a pothole-ridden road. Joining us is Dr. Mengucci, the legal representative for Sara Berti, the 19-year-old at the heart of this story. Dr. Mengucci, thank you for being here.
**Dr. Mengucci:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Can you tell us what happened to Sara?
**Dr. Mengucci:** On March 16th, Sara was riding her scooter on Strada Lunga, a road notorious for its poor condition. She hit a concealed pothole, causing her scooter to overturn and throwing her to the ground. The force of the impact resulted in multiple contusions, a fractured nail phalanx, and numerous cuts and bruises. Thankfully, her helmet prevented more serious head injuries [[1](https://www.valuepenguin.com/disputing-homeowners-insurance-claim-denial-or-settlement-offer)].
**Host:** That sounds truly terrifying. What happened next?
**Dr. Mengucci:** Sara was hospitalized and received treatment for her injuries.
We then filed a claim with Itas Mutua, the insurance company for the Municipality of Pesaro responsible for maintaining the road.
**Host:** And what was their response?
**Dr. Mengucci:** After an agonizing eight-month wait, we finally received a denial. They claimed there was no evidence to support their liability, basically saying they weren’t responsible for Sara’s injuries.
**Host:** Eight months is a very long time to wait for a response, especially considering the severity of Sara’s injuries. What are your plans moving forward?
**Dr. Mengucci:** We strongly believe the road’s condition was a direct cause of Sara’s accident. We’re gathering further evidence, including witness testimonies and possibly expert opinions, to build a stronger case and challenge the insurance company’s decision.
**Host:** It seems like this is a classic case of David versus Goliath, with an individual taking on a large insurance company. What message do you hope to send with Sara’s story?
**Dr. Mengucci:** I hope Sara’s case raises awareness about the importance of holding municipalities accountable for maintaining safe roads. A simple pothole shouldn’t lead to life-altering injuries. People deserve to feel safe while using public infrastructure.
**Host:** A powerful message indeed. Thank you, Dr. Mengucci, for sharing Sara’s story and for your tireless advocacy.
**Dr. Mengucci:** Thank you for having me.
