Possible Illegal Repossession by Bridgecrest on your Wisconsin Auto Loan
If your vehicle loan with Bridgecrest has been recently repossessed, you may have a claim against them for an illegal repossession. Your vehicle may have been prematurely repossessed in violation of the Wisconsin Consumer Act. If your vehicle was repossessed by Bridgecrest, please contact us immediately. We offer free confidential consultations and take cases at no cost to our clients. We offer free online scheduling for appointments.
Money and A Free Vehicle for Illegal Repossessions in Wisconsin - A Must Read
All cases are different, but here are the categories of damages available under the law for illegal repossessions:
- Return of your vehicle (or payment of the value of the vehicle)
- Waiver of future payments (you get to keep the vehicle for free)
- Return of all payments made
- Payment of your attorneys' fees and costs
Pre-repossession Notices
Here are more details about what lenders (like Bridgecrest) must provide before they can repossess certain vehicle loans in Wisconsin. Before your lender can repossess your vehicle, you must be in "default" under your financing agreement. To be in default, your lender must (in almost all situations) send you written notice of the alleged default and give you a chance to "cure" that default. "Cure" is another way of saying that you have brought the loan current. Next, your lender must either: 1) sue you and get a court order for the vehicle, 2) send you a specific notice indicating they want to do a "self-help" repossession. These written "self-help" notices must contain the following:
1) The name, address, and telephone number of the merchant (aka, the lender), a brief identification of the consumer credit transaction (the documents you signed), and a brief description of the collateral or goods (your vehicle).
2) A statement that, as a result of the customer's default on the consumer credit transaction, the merchant may have the right to take possession of the collateral or goods without further notice or court proceeding.
3) A statement that if the customer is not in default or objects to the merchant's right to take possession of the collateral or goods, the customer may, no later than 15 days after the merchant has given the notice, demand that the merchant proceed in court by notifying the merchant in writing.
4) A statement that if the merchant proceeds in court, the customer may be required to pay court costs and attorney fees.
What all this means is that lenders are required to send you a letter stating that you're behind on vehicle payments, and that you have 15 days from the date of the letter to object in writing to them taking your car. If you object in writing the lender then has to sue you. This 15-day window of time is VERY important. If you have received this type of letter, call right away for a free consultation.
We offer free online scheduling for appointments.
We provide representation in automobile and vehicle anywhere in Wisconsin, including Racine, Kenosha, Green Bay, Appleton, the Fox Valley, Milwaukee, West Allis, Waukesha, Walworth County, Dane County, Madison, La Crosse, Eau Claire, Superior, Ashland, and anywhere in-between.