If you’ve called our office about a defective vehicle or dealership dispute, you’ve probably heard us say, “I’m sorry, but we don’t handle those types of cases.” We know how frustrating this must be, especially when you’re dealing with a serious problem that’s costing you time and money.
We want to explain why Williams Law Association, P.A., like the vast majority of Florida law firms, doesn’t take on automotive cases, and more importantly, help you understand what you need to look for in finding the proper legal representation for your situation. It’s NOT you, it’s the specialization.
First, let us be clear: when we decline automotive cases, it’s not because we don’t care or because your case lacks merit. These cases require such specialized knowledge that taking them without the proper expertise would be a disservice to you.
Different Areas of Law
Insurance claim lawyers focus on disputes between policyholders and insurance companies.
Our cases usually involve:
- Property damage insurance claims (homeowners, hurricane, water, fire, mold, and commercial losses)
- Personal injury claims (auto accidents, slip and fall, trucking collisions, etc.)
- Bad faith insurance practices
These cases are governed by Florida’s insurance statutes and contract law. By contrast, defective car claims fall under Florida’s Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act, commonly known as the Florida Lemon Law. This is a consumer protection law designed to help car buyers who purchase or lease vehicles with unfixable defects.
Why Insurance Lawyers Cannot Handle Florida Defective Car Issues
Different Statutory Frameworks
Florida insurance attorneys are well-versed in Chapter 627 of the Florida Statutes, which governs insurance contracts, claims handling, and bad faith litigation. Lemon law disputes, however, fall under Chapter 681 of the Florida Statutes. These statutes dictate entirely different rules, deadlines, and remedies.
An attorney who spends their career litigating property insurance disputes or car accident injuries is not equipped to navigate the procedural nuances of lemon law arbitration and manufacturer negotiations.
Understanding the Difference Between Insurance Law and Lemon Law in Florida
Insurance law and lemon law both involve protecting consumers, but they differ fundamentally in scope and process.
- Insurance Law: Focuses on disputes between policyholders and insurance companies. This includes property insurance, homeowners’ insurance, hurricane claims, fire damage, and personal injury coverage.
- Florida Lemon Law (Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act): A consumer protection statute designed to help individuals who buy or lease new vehicles with persistent defects that impair safety, value, or use.
The distinction is clear: insurance attorneys represent insurers, while lemon law attorneys represent consumers.
The Hidden Complexity of Automotive Law
What seems like a straightforward problem, “the dealership sold me a defective car,” actually involves multiple overlapping areas of law that most attorneys never encounter in their regular practice:
Florida’s Lemon Law Is a Minefield
The Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act (Florida’s Lemon Law) has:
- Strict 24-month reporting windows
- Specific written notification requirements that must be sent via certified mail
- Mandatory arbitration procedures before you can file suit
- Precise documentation requirements that, if not followed, can destroy your case
- Technical definitions of what constitutes a “reasonable number of repair attempts.”
One missed deadline or an improperly worded letter can end your case before it begins.
Dealership Cases Involve Multiple Federal and State Laws
A single dealership dispute might involve:
- The Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (FDUTPA)
- Federal Truth in Lending Act (TILA)
- Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
- Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act
- Uniform Commercial Code provisions
- Florida motor vehicle retail installment sales regulations
- Federal Odometer Act
- Various FTC regulations
Each of these laws has its own requirements, deadlines, and remedies. It’s like trying to play five different board games simultaneously, each with its own unique rules.
What Does This Mean for You as a Consumer?
We understand how frustrating this can be. You have a legitimate issue, but finding the right legal help isn’t always easy. The reality is simple: you need a specialist. Just as you wouldn’t trust a general doctor with heart surgery, you shouldn’t rely on a general practice attorney for an automotive consumer case.
You need an attorney who focuses on this area, understands the arbitration process, works with qualified automotive experts, and knows how dealerships and financing structures operate. That level of experience can make a critical difference in the outcome of your case.
Where to Find Help?
Look for attorneys who specifically advertise as:
- Lemon law attorneys
- Auto fraud specialists
- Consumer protection attorneys with an automotive focus
- Dealership dispute lawyers
The Florida Bar’s lawyer referral service can help you find attorneys who specialize in consumer protection and automotive law.
Our Commitment and the Bottom Line
At Williams Law Association, P.A., we focus our practice on insurance disputes and personal injury claims, including homeowners’ claims (hurricane, fire, water, mold), commercial property losses, bad faith litigation, and injury cases such as car accidents, slip and falls, and trucking accidents. This focused approach allows us to deliver the experience, strategy, and advocacy our clients need to achieve the best possible results.
At the same time, we believe in being direct and ethical about the cases we handle. While we would like to help everyone who contacts us, automotive consumer cases require a specialized skill set outside our core focus. Your case deserves an attorney who works in that field every day. We hope this guidance helps you find the right representation and encourages you to continue pursuing your rights with the appropriate legal team.
Call 1-800-451-6786 | Tampa: (813) 288-4999