What is the Lemon Law Legislation?
Does your state have a lemon law that will cover your useless vehicle? This is the big question many consumers ask when they find they're spending just as much time off the road and in repair shops as they do driving around. By law lemon cars vary in their definition. Some states explicitly include the vehicular parts of motor homes and motorcycles, while other state laws explicitly exclude these things. One of the most common qualifications for protection under the lemon law is that your vehicle was purchased and registered in your state. This protects both manufacturers and dealers from disingenuous consumers who move from state to state, suing along the way.
The second step in evaluating your car's law lemon eligibility is to consider the timing. In most cases, there must be documentation of a defect within the first year or 18,000 miles following the purchase. This documentation usually comes in the form of a repair receipt and vehicle check-up. It is very important that you hold onto all this evidence and keep detailed records of repairs and phone conversations with the dealer to strengthen your case. It is also wise to take your car directly back to the dealer or manufacturer to ensure that there is no finger-pointing between your local mechanic and the seller, with no one claiming responsibility for the defects. Generally, your car is protected by the state lemon law for the length of your warranty, although some regions place a 1 to 5 year limitation on when you are allowed to file a claim.
Thirdly, there are some specific stipulations about the "attempted repairs" in a law lemon case. Ideally, the process works as follows. You call for lawyer help at the first sign of car trouble to let them know about your situation. They will provide you with legal advice on how to handle the situation, so if need be, they will be able to pursue the case should other car trouble ensue after the so-called "repair." You will take notes of your conversation with mechanics at the dealership and you will keep the receipt and detailed records of any repairs made. If the car continues to fail, you will follow the same protocol for each time. Before filing your official claim, you should send the manufacturer a warning letter stating your intentions so there is no confusion about the seriousness of this matter. The laws of each state vary on the allowable "reasonable number of repairs" and days off the road, so be sure to check with your attorney before proceeding.
Lastly, the success of your law lemon trial may depend upon the type of "defect" or "nonconformity" your vehicle has. This is often where help from an experienced, lemon law lawyer comes in handy. It's up to them to make the case to the court that your car was, in fact, compromised in "use, value or safety." The manufacturer may argue that you can still drive with your clanking muffler and that it doesn't necessarily diminish the value or safety all that much. With the right attorney advice, you can demonstrate that this problem has, in fact, compromised all three categories. The most commonly litigated "defects" involve the brakes, transmission, steering column and starter, but many more nonconformities can fit the bill, so it's best if you seek legal help and get a free consultation to determine your case.
Jeremy Larson is a foremost expert in acid reflux remedy field. His work has been extensively published in various online publications in this area. For more information on the treatment, visit RemedyForAcidReflux.com.
Tags: attorney advice, car lemon law, lemon law lawyers, local laws, state laws, texas lemon law