You may have heard of car lemon laws before, but do you really understand the implications of these laws? As a consumer, you should, because car lemon laws will serve you in a situation where you end up buying a lemon by accident.
Now you may be even more confused. The lemon in question is not the citrus fruit that is on your kitchen table. In consumer parlance, a lemon is something that is damaged or substandard, especially a vehicle that doesn’t run properly, suffers irreparable damage, or fails to meet safety standards. Automobile lemon laws refer to laws that protect consumers who are victims of such defective purchases.
All states have car lemon laws, and the specifics of those laws can vary from state to state. However, the main idea of the car’s lemon law is the same. Automobile lemon laws give consumers the right to demand a repair, appropriate replacement, or a full refund.
If you buy an imperfect motorized vehicle, the car lemon laws will require the manufacturer to provide all necessary repairs to repair the vehicle. Automobile lemon laws give the manufacturer a certain amount of time, or perhaps a predetermined number of attempts to repair the car. If the vehicle is still not in order after this clearance, then the manufacturer must replace the car, according to the car lemon laws.
As a car owner, you can also use the car lemon law to opt for a full refund on a damaged motor vehicle. The refund includes not only the retail cost of the vehicle you paid the manufacturer, but also taxes and fees. The lemon car laws also provide you with reimbursement for the cost of renting a car you may have used while your damaged car was being repaired, as well as the actual cost of the repair.
When filing a lawsuit under the car lemon laws, you should consider the timeframe in which you are permitted to file a lawsuit. This timeframe varies from state to state, but most car lemon laws give you about 2 to 3 years. You should also ensure that your vehicle is still covered under its original manufacturer’s warranty.
Filing a lawsuit under car lemon laws is fairly simple and you may be able to do it yourself, but it is also a good idea to hire an attorney who specializes in car lemon law proceedings.
All you have to do is contact the vehicle manufacturer and let them know about your complaint. Note that the car lemon laws will only work for you if you go directly to the manufacturer and not the dealer. Make sure that you have all your documents as these will be needed in court proceedings.
Once a manufacturer is faced with a lawsuit regarding car lemon laws, they will usually be accommodating and eager to repair your vehicle, or even provide a replacement. In the rare case where the manufacturer refuses to cooperate, the case will go to court and the services of a lemon law attorney are required.