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One of the largest modern-day fraud cases, the Dieselgate scandal, began in 2015 with the release of information that a Volkswagen automaker had falsified emissions figures by illegally installing software that conceals actual emissions.
“In response to the scale of the fraud, Estonian start-up HUGO.legal, in cooperation with the Klauberg law firm, has developed a legal robot that allows car owners to check if their car has illegal software and if it can be done. claim compensation from the manufacturer.
If such a right to compensation is established, an action can be brought in a German court with the help of a law firm.
If such a right to compensation is established, an action can be brought in a German court with the help of a law firm. This solution was presented in Estonia last November, and today it is also available to Lithuanian car owners, ”says Darias Lengvinas, representative of HUGO.legal in Lithuania, about the decision to the residents of the Baltic countries.
In Estonia, more than 5,000 applications have already been submitted using the legal robot. More than 1,500 consumers received a response that they could go to court. The total amount, if all these consumers bring an action, could be around 20 million euros. To learn more about the process, 517 car owners have already requested the first free legal consultation.
According to Theis Klaubergi, Partner at Klauberg Law Firm, there is still very little interest in this fraud case and the possibility of recovering money in the Baltic States, including Lithuania, although successful examples from abroad show that it is really worth trying to defend your rights .
“In Germany, 231 thousand. People joined forces in a lawsuit against Volkswagen, which ended in a settlement worth 750 million euros. In the United States, Volkswagen has already paid $ 15 billion to car owners. And Audi $ 6 billion. Dollars. And it is not just compensation: cars with deceptive software cause up to four times more damage to the environment than official documents show, and studies in some cases have shown a difference of up to 14 times.
If car owners turn a blind eye to this fraud case, it could also be an incentive for other violations.
To increase their revenue, automakers have clearly ignored environmental standards, so they must take on even greater responsibilities. If car owners turn a blind eye to this case of fraud, it can be an incentive for other violations and damage to the environment ”, emphasizes T. Klaubergi on the lack of information in the Baltic countries.
According to D.Lengvin, the amount of compensation depends on the price of the car and the number of kilometers driven.
“Both new and used car owners can claim compensation. For example, if in 2015 an Audi Q7 was bought with a value of 75 thousand euros, and so far the car has traveled 75 thousand kilometers, to Entering this information in HUGO’s Dieselgate robot, it will respond that the maximum amount of compensation that can be recovered from the manufacturer is 52,500 euros.
Both new and used car owners can claim compensation.
Another example is the Volkswagen Passat, which was worth € 30,000 at the time of purchase and currently has a mileage of 60,000 km, as calculated by HUGO.legal, where the owner can claim € 22,800 in compensation. In both cases, the amount of compensation exceeds the current market price of the car ”, emphasizes a representative from HUGO.legal.
If the robot indicates that the owner of the car is entitled to compensation, he is entitled to the first consultation of legal experts free of charge. The first consultation provides information on costs, duration of the process and possible actions.
“Of course, the client is also informed that there is a very low, really microscopic chance of losing in court. We say this in light of the disputes that have taken place around the world so far. Usually, after preparing the claim and contacting the car manufacturer, he himself offers to sign an agreement that provides for monetary compensation and the possibility of keeping the car. However, this amount is usually less than what can be recovered in court, ”says D. Lengvin.
Of course, the client is also informed that there is a very small and truly microscopic chance of losing in court.
A spokesperson for HUGO.legal said the car owner could sue the car manufacturer, not the dealer, for using the deceptive software: “If compensation is awarded, the car must be returned to the manufacturer. However, there is an interesting aspect to this case: our German colleagues point out that the manufacturer often offers a compromise by allowing the car to continue to be used, but reducing the amount of compensation. This result is usually even more useful for the consumer ”, says D.Lengvinas.
The approximate price to be taken into account by the vehicle owner when filing a claim is € 4,000. These are the compulsory attorney’s fees and court costs under German law. If the dispute is won in court, the car manufacturer must reimburse all costs incurred, along with compensation for the car.
You can find more information here.
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