Jul 09 2009
What is a Lemon Law and How Can It Protect Me?
In regards to a motor vehicle, a “lemon” is an automobile which has a defect or combination of defects which cannot be or are not repaired within a reasonable time period or in a reasonable number of repair attempts. These defects may range from the transmission or engine to mechanical repairs or issues with a car’s navigation system or windshield wipers.
Lemon vehicles common misconception is that yours must “qualify” as a lemon in order for you to seek financial relief. State-specific lemon law standards vary, and what may qualify as grounds for a lemon law claim will depend upon your particular case. For this reason it is always recommended that you consult a lemon law lawyer in your area to see if your vehicle might be a lemon.
Lemon law applies to your case in different ways, depending on your state. However, the general purpose of lemon laws is to give consumers the opportunity to take legal action against manufacturers or dealers who create or sell defective automobiles. The majority of lemon law claims settle out of court. This means that the dealer and/or manufacturer will give a cash settlement to the consumer or may work out another method of resolving the claim without a judgment in court being necessary. The desired result is to free the consumer of the lemon without the consumer suffering any losses.
If you were lied to or mislead by the manufacturer or dealership, it may be possible for you to take additional legal remedies, including financial damages of up to three times your losses. The right lemon law lawyer will determine how your state’s lemon laws can protect you and bring the responsible party to justice, regardless of your particular situation.