Author Archives: Terry Polich

General Motors Issues Second Recall of Chevy Bolt Electric Vehicles

By Attorney Terrence M. Polich 

General Motors has issued a second recall of its Chevy Bolt electric vehicles due to concerns that a defect may lead to fires.  A manufacturing defect in Bolts built from 2017 through 2019 increases the risk of the vehicles experiencing a fire.  

There was an earlier recall issued concerning the same vehicles, which apparently did not entirely correct the problem.  GM is telling Bolt owners affected by the recall to set their vehicles to a 90% state of charge limitation using Hilltop Reserve mode (for 2017-2018 models) or Target Charge Level mode (for 2019 models).  

There are reports that General Motors is buying back some of these vehicles.  It may be that Chevy Bolts subject to this recall will qualify for protection under the Magnuson-Moss Act or Wisconsin lemon laws.  If you have been experiencing problems with your Chevy Bolt and have questions about whether it is covered under federal or state warranty enforcement statutes, give me a call.  All initial consultations are free, contact our Wisconsin lemon law attorney today.

Attorney Polich is a partner at Lawton & Cates, S.C. He has been helping consumers and winning Lemon Law cases throughout Wisconsin for over 20 years.  Call Attorney Polich now at (608) 282-6249.  

People often ask these questions when considering hiring me to represent them in a lemon law case.  I am always happy to discuss these issues and your potential lemon law case, free of charge.  There is no fee unless we win, and no charge for an initial consultation.    

Q. If I don’t win, will I end up owing you money?  

A. No.  There is no fee unless you win.  I work on your case on a contingent fee basis.  The only time I am paid is if you are paid.       

Q. Will, I have to pay anything upfront?  

A. No.  I don’t require a down payment or a retainer when we begin the case.  If the manufacturer fails to pay your refund or provide your comparable new replacement vehicle within the time required by the lemon law, the manufacturer is required to pay your attorney’s fees if you win your case.  There is nothing payable by you for attorney’s fees. If this helps you you may want to contact our Wisconsin lemon law lawyers.  

Q. Will, I have to pay attorney’s fees if the manufacturer gives a refund or a replacement vehicle but no suit is filed.  

A. The answer here is, “Yes, but it is a capped fee.”  You will never pay more than an affordable, capped fee if the manufacturer provides the refund or the replacement vehicle within the time specified by the lemon law.  

If the manufacturer complies with the lemon law and provides the refund or comparable new motor vehicle within the time required by law, I cap the attorney’s fees in your case at an affordable level.  I do this because when the manufacturer complies with the lemon law, it is not required to pay your attorney’s fees.  In exchange for the capped rate fee, I still represent you in all aspects of the claim: from drafting the original paperwork to demand a refund or replacement vehicle, through evaluating any offers, through the vehicle return, (where I typically appear with you to make sure the transaction goes smoothly and your rights are protected).

Q. Do I have to pay anything upfront?  

A. No, you do not pay anything up front.  Any capped fee is deducted from the refund or billed at the end of the case.  

It is always a stressful experience contemplating hiring a lawyer.  I’m always happy to explain the various aspects of the legal system and how we work on these cases in the hopes of making the experience as positive and stress-free as possible.  Feel free to call me at any time to talk about your potential claim.  

Attorney Polich has over 20 years of experience litigating lemon law in Wisconsin and other consumer warranty cases and is a partner at Lawton & Cates, S.C.  You can reach him at (608) 282-6249.  

There are a number of documents relevant to any Lemon Law or Magnuson-Moss Act claim.  For our review of your case, it is invariably helpful if you can provide us with:

1. The purchase contract; 

2. Warranty handbook; 

3. Owner’s manual; 

4. Any and all financing documents;

5. Repair orders from each repair visit; 

6. Oil change and maintenance records;

7. Any video evidence of the problem(s); and 

8. Any correspondence, including texts, emails and the like related to the problem that you are experiencing with the vehicle.  

After buying a vehicle and as your ownership continues, it is a good idea to keep all of these documents in a safe place so that if you end up having problems with your vehicle, we will have a basis upon which to review your claim.  Often, video evidence, emails and texts are key evidence in these cases.  Of course, the purchase contract, warranty handbook, owner’s manual and repair orders are the “nuts and bolts” of every Lemon Law and Magnuson-Moss case.  

If you are having problems with your car or truck and you think it might be a lemon, call me for a free consultation.  I will review your potential claim at no charge to you. You can read the full Wisconsin lemon law or contact a lemon law lawyers in Wisconsin.    

There are a number of documents relevant to any Lemon Law or Magnuson-Moss Act claim.  For our review of your case, it is invariably helpful if you can provide us with:

1. The purchase contract; 

2. Warranty handbook; 

3. Owner’s manual; 

4. Any and all financing documents;

5. Repair orders from each repair visit; 

6. Oil change and maintenance records;

7. Any video evidence of the problem(s); and 

8. Any correspondence, including texts, emails and the like related to the problem that you are experiencing with the vehicle.  

After buying a vehicle and as your ownership continues, it is a good idea to keep all of these documents in a safe place so that if you end up having problems with your vehicle, we will have a basis upon which to review your claim.  Often, video evidence, emails and texts are key evidence in these cases.  Of course, the purchase contract, warranty handbook, owner’s manual and repair orders are the “nuts and bolts” of every Lemon Law and Magnuson-Moss case.  

If you are having problems with your car or truck and you think it might be a lemon, call me for a free consultation.  I will review your potential claim at no charge to you. 

We continue to try to bring you the best information. You can read the Wisconsin lemon law or contact one of our lemon law lawyers in Wisconsin.