THE LEMON LAW AND HOW TO USE IT
What's a "Lemon", what's the Lemon Law, and what to do if you bought one.
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A "Lemon" is a car that when purchased new or used is found to have many or severe defects not obvious before the purchase. Lemon Laws provide legal remedies to owners whose new cars repeatedly fail in certain standards of quality and performance. Lemon Laws vary by state. States like North Carolina and California have strict Lemon laws, and along with other federal consumer protection laws, a lawyer can can present you with plenty of options available to victims. You may be within your rights to file litigation. There are plenty of Law Firms with attorneys ready to help you file a claim for reimbursement from the unscrupulous sellers. This is a general guide to help you should you be saddled with a lemon.
So You Think You Bought A Lemon
You've spent a lot of money on a new car, and are looking forward to driving it. Then the problems begin. Your car is constantly in the shop with one problem after another. It seems like you drive a rental car more often than your new one. You are spending more time dealing with problems you thought you would avoid by buying a new car. The service department just doesn't seem to be able to repair your car. You suspect you have bought a lemon!
- The Better Business Bureau's Lemon Law page will help consumers file car complaints under their state's Lemon Law.
- Lemon Law America is a National lemon law resource for consumers with defective automobiles, featuring lemon laws statutes for all fifty states and a directory of lemon law attorneys by state.
- Easy Attorney Search is a network of locally based attorney legal services. search for attorneys who are experienced with your state's Lemon Law.
- LemonLawDirect is an online resource and directory for information on the Lemon Law in many states.
- AllGive is another online resource for Lemon Law information.
- Auto Lemon lists Lemon Law Attorneys in practicing Michigan, California, North Carolina, Florida, Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Nevada, Colorado, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Virginia
Now What?
You are not stuck with your "lemon." There are laws under which you have rights. Each state has their own Lemon Law, so your rights may vary, but rest assured there are laws to deal with your "lemon." One thing that most every state agrees on is that your car must still be under warranty, and that there should be a minimum number of attempts (usually 4) to repair the same problem without success. We've checked and found a few websites that can help you deal with your lemon.
Do I Need A Lawyer?
Probably, Lemon Laws vary in each state, what is considered in one state may not be in yours. An attorney experienced in these laws will be able to help you determine if you have a case, and what to do next. They are experienced with what documentation you will need to pursue your case.
Lemon Law Tips
1. Keep a copy of all documentation you have on your vehicle and its history. This includes all repair orders, purchase contracts, warranty books, and owners manual.
2. Take written notes of any conversations you've had with with service technicians and your dealership regarding your car. Note the date & time and name of the person you spoke with, include his comments. Note whether it was "in person" or on the telephone.
3. Ask about Technical Service Bulletins for your car.
4. Prepare a timeline detailing each attempt to repair your car, how many days it was in the shop, how many days it was out of service.
5. Don't give up. Your dealership or their repair technicians may try to tell you that these are minor repairs. But if you have a fistful of repair orders, you may have a case. Consult an attorney experienced in the lemon law for the state in which you purchased your car.
To Summarize
You may have a lemon if your new, under warranty car, is in the shop for the same problem over and over. Document the dates your car is in the shop, what the problem is, how long you were without use of the car, and any conversations you had with the repair technicians. If the number of times in the shop for the same problem without results reaches four, consult an attorney who is experienced with the Lemon Laws in your state. He'll be able to give you details on what constitutes a lemon and what your next step should be.