Owning a vehicle gives you the freedom and flexibility to go wherever you want at the drop of a hat. You likely don’t think twice about your vehicle’s warranty until something goes awry. If you find yourself taking your vehicle in to the repair shop time and time again only to still experience the same problem, there’s a chance you have a lemon on your hands.
To combat this frustrating and expensive roadblock, there are state and federal lemon laws in place. If you’re not familiar with the lemon law, here are five key takeaways to remember.
If You Are Experiencing Vehicle Defects You Likely Qualify
Even if you think you have a lemon on your hands, you’ll need to ensure it qualifies. In order for your vehicle to be classified as a lemon under federal or state law, it must have undergone a reasonable number of repair attempts to repair any type of defect in the vehicle. The defect does not need to have a direct impact on the functionality of the vehicle. In fact, even cosmetic imperfections of flaws may be considered under federal or state lemon laws.
There are Remedies in Place
If you indeed have a lemon, don’t panic. These laws are in place to ensure you are protected in the case that you purchase a car with inherent defects. You may be eligible to receive a refund, replacement vehicle, or cash damages if your car qualifies.
The Manufacturers’ Warranty Factors In
Paperwork is essential in the lemon law process. If you pursue a lemon law claim, the warranty from your vehicle’s manufacturer will be considered. You may be eligible for compensation if your vehicle has defects and they are proving difficult to fix.
Leased Vehicles Are Also Covered
A common misperception about the lemon law is that it doesn’t apply to leased vehicles. This is not the case. Even used and privately purchased may be protected under federal or state lemon laws if these vehicles were sold with some type of written warranty.
You Can Hire An Attorney And Not Pay Attorneys’ Fees
Federal law and most state lemon laws provide that if the consumer prevails in their lemon law dispute that they can recover attorneys’ fees from the car manufacturer. This way, you can hire a lawyer who doesn’t charge you for their time and who relies solely on their ability to win or settle your case to be paid.
If your vehicle isn’t operating properly and you’ve taken it into the repair shop multiple times, consider consulting a lemon law attorney. Our skilled team at the Krohn & Moss, Ltd. Consumer Law Centerâ can provide you with hands-on guidance to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
Call us today at (866) 388-8290 to get started.