Lemon laws are specifically designed to protect the interests of consumers in the event of them buying defective vehicles. The customer can also buy another defective service or product commonly referred to as a lemon. If the car you purchase does not meet standard expectations concerning value and safety, then you can file a lemon law claim to protect your interests. There are also other things that you need to know about the lemon law; read on to find out.
How Does the Lemon Law Protect the Consumer?
You can find yourself stuck with a lemon when you realize that your new car has mechanical problems, even if it’s a luxury brand. The moment you discover that your jeep is a lemon, there are two options that you can consider to ensure that your interests are protected. You need to contact a specialized attorney in Jeep lemon law to seek a legal remedy.
Different states in the US have extensive lemon laws that are designed to protect the interests of unsuspecting consumers who may buy defective vehicles. When you find a lemon law attorney, the first option available to you is that the manufacturer of the car replaces it or repurchases it. A replacement is a better option since you can get another working vehicle and avoid losing money. Alternatively, the manufacturer repairs the vehicle at their cost if the defects pose a danger to your safety.
Some unscrupulous car dealers intentionally offer defective vehicles but this is when the lemon law comes in handy. As such, the lemon laws are specifically designed to hold the vehicle manufacturers accountable so that they can implement obligatory warranties. The second option is that you negotiate a cash settlement with the manufacturer of the vehicle. You cannot be stuck for good with the faulty car, so a cash settlement will compensate you for the defects that affect the value of the vehicle. If you feel that your safety is compromised, then a cash settlement can be a better option.
How to Determine If the Vehicle Is a Lemon
Normally, when you purchase a new car, you expect to enjoy the ride and nothing else. However, if the car proves to be a disappointment and you realize that it has a major defect that makes it return to the garage, then there is reason to worry. The vehicle may have various defects that include electrical malfunction, a poor braking system, engine leaks or poor traction among others. If the car fails to function normally no matter how many times you take it to the garage, then you should know that you have bought a lemon. It is essential to check if your new car is still under the original warranty of the manufacturer so that you can determine if it is a lemon or not. You can go to the manufacturer if the warranty is still valid.
However, it is essential to invoke lemon laws if you experience the mechanical problems within a specific period after the purchase of the vehicle. The car should also have covered a specific distance and the law applies to new cars in different states. The other aspect that can help you determine whether your car is a lemon or not is to check if the problem has been fixed or not after several attempts. It is also important to prove that the defect in the car has not been caused by abusive or negligent driving. These types of defects are also known as “nonconformities” which are covered by the original warranty of the manufacturer.
To fully understand the impacts of nonconformities, it is essential to hire an experienced lemon law attorney. They can explain all of the relevant details that you should know when dealing with cases related to nonconformities to help you decide whether you are entitled to a legal remedy or not.
Are the Lemon Laws Universal?
Chances of purchasing a lemon remain high no matter how hard you try to avoid it. However, you must consider the state and federal laws to see how the lemon laws differ. The lemon laws differ from state to state, so you must understand the lemon law statutes in each state before you seek a legal remedy in case your vehicle qualifies to be classified as a “lemon.”
For instance, in California and other states, the automobile manufacturer’s warranty is enforceable as long as it is still valid. The dealership must show some reasonable efforts to repair the vehicle. The law states that the jeep can be replaced or repurchased if the problem could not be fixed within a specific period. In other states, the warranty does not apply to service contracts or third party contracts. To win in the lemon law claim for your vehicle, you must demonstrate beyond any reasonable doubt that you have tried to fix the car on different occasions. Keep the receipts and any other evidence to show your “reasonable attempts” to fix the car. You must prove that:
- The car has defects that affect its safety or value which can lead to injuries or death.
- You have attempted to have the defect fixed repeatedly.
- The car has been to the dealership several times within the last 30 days to have the problem fixed.
When you buy a vehicle, you should not tolerate the problem for too long if you believe that the car has defects. Other states like California have lemon laws with limitations of four years, so you should keep all of the necessary documentation including the warranty and repair bills. You need to understand the law so that you can be in a position to win the lemon law claim.
If your car is still covered by the manufacturer’s original warranty, then it can be classified as a lemon if you prove that the problems you’re facing are persistent. All the same, you should consult an experienced lemon law attorney to get more details about filing a claim if you want to have legal recourse after buying a defective vehicle.
