Purchasing a new car can be a challenging and expensive task. As a consumer, the last thing you want is to unknowingly invest in a defective vehicle and make the car-buying experience a financial burden. Fortunately, lemon laws have been enacted throughout the country to protect buyers from these unfortunate transactions. If you feel that you inadvertently bought a lemon car, here are five tips to help safeguard your rights and increase your chances of receiving a favourable legal outcome.
Know your consumer rights
Before pursuing a lemon claim, it is highly vital that you clearly understand your rights as a consumer. Make sure you do your research and look for reliable and updated information to prevent misunderstandings and missed opportunities. Remember that lemon laws vary in each state, so never assume that your situation is the same with every lemon consumer in the country. In addition, the statute of limitations differs depending on your location so be sure to act quickly as procrastination will only ruin your chances of a successful claim.
Consult with a legal expert
Remember that most vehicle manufacturers have a high-paid legal team working diligently behind them, so it is essential that you reach out to a legal expert right away. While hiring an attorney is not mandatory in a lemon lawsuit, enlisting the help of a qualified lemon law attorney can make or break your case. An experienced attorney can direct your legal claim to a successful outcome and get you the compensation you rightfully deserve.
Document everything
For your lemon law case to be successful, you need to keep a detailed and meticulous record of everything related to your vehicle. Having a record can help create a timeline of your car problems, significantly aiding your lawyer when pursuing your case. Make sure you have all the necessary documentation ready, such as servicing receipts, detailed description of your vehicle’s problem, repair orders, conversations with the manufacturer, repair history, and any pertinent paperwork or piece of correspondence that can serve as evidence that you purchased a lemon. Never assume that your car dealer will have copies of these essential documents. The more quality evidence you can secure to support your claim, the higher your probability of winning.
Decide on the remedy you want
To ensure that everyone involved is on the same page, you need to know what type of remedy you want to receive. Lemon laws allow you to choose whether you want your vehicle replaced or repurchased. In addition, depending on your state lemon law, you can also get compensation for consequential and incidental damages. Be sure to talk to your lawyer so they can educate you on your law entitlements.
Take care of your vehicle
While your claim is ongoing, it is critical that you use your vehicle correctly. Keep in mind that the lemon law does not cover any damages that may arise from improper usage of your car. Therefore, you should make sure that your vehicle is serviced regularly to prevent the manufacturer from using your negligence and carelessness towards your car against you.
Buying a car is a significant financial undertaking. If ever you suspect that you received a defective vehicle, make sure you follow these tips so you can get the best possible verdict for your lemon claim.
