A lemon law attorney will ensure you have taken the appropriate preliminary steps to file a claim. They will also review your case to ensure you have a valid claim and can get compensation.
They understand your state’s lemon laws and warranty agreements. They can help you receive a buyback or replacement vehicle, cash compensation, and rental and repair expenses reimbursement.
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They Negotiate on Your Behalf
Typically, a California lemon law lawyer will negotiate to get you a refund or a new replacement vehicle if your case is successful. They will also fight for compensation to cover any expenses related to your lemon, including repairs, rental car fees, and towing costs.
In addition to having experience with state lemon laws and federal warranty laws, they will also know which defects are covered and which are not. This is important because a defect that affects safety could not qualify for repurchase or replacement under the Lemon laws. Still, a defective part that reduces the value of your vehicle may.
Many car companies employ representatives who are attorneys or at least legally trained regarding lemon law and breach of warranty issues, and these people can use this training to try to trick you into making statements or admissions that could harm your claim. Lemon law attorneys will help level the playing field against these large corporations and protect you from their tactics.
Another way that they can help you is by getting the manufacturer to pay for your attorney’s fees as part of a resolution. This is a protection that is provided for by both the state legislature and Congress because they recognize that it is not financially feasible for individual consumers to hire attorneys on their own when facing off against these large car companies.
They Help You Participate in Arbitration
It’s important to remember that your lemon law attorney will work as your advocate and help you every step of the way. They will know all the filing requirements and negotiation tactics and help you get every penny of compensation you deserve.
In most states, you must participate in informal arbitration before filing a lawsuit against the manufacturer if your vehicle meets certain criteria. This includes providing the manufacturer with reasonable repair attempts and demonstrating that you have tried to resolve the problem through their customer service department. Your lawyer will assist you in the informal arbitration process and ensure all your evidence is presented to the arbitrator.
The arbitration panel will then rule on the matter and determine how much you are entitled to receive, including a vehicle repurchase or replacement, a cash refund, compensation for rental car costs, and more. Your attorney will fight to ensure you receive everything you are entitled to under your state’s lemon laws.
During your consultation, ask your lawyer what recovery percentage they plan to keep. Generally, most attorneys will retain a portion of any “civil penalty” payment or punitive damages awarded to you.
They Help You File a Lawsuit
In addition to a refund or replacement vehicle, lemon law settlements can reimburse expenses related to the defective vehicle. These may include rental car fees, towing costs, storage charges, mileage reimbursement, and attorney’s fees. If you’ve financed your vehicle, a successful lemon law case can also help pay off your loan and free up funds to purchase a newer car.
When choosing a lemon law attorney, asking about their experience and success rate is important. An experienced lawyer will have a better understanding of the process and will be able to answer any questions you might have. It would help if you also asked whether they will charge any upfront fees or a retainer. A trustworthy lemon law attorney will not require a retainer and should be willing to take on your case on a contingency basis, meaning they will only get paid if you win.
A reputable lemon law attorney should review your case to ensure you meet your state’s lemon law requirements. They will also ensure that you have taken the appropriate preliminary steps before filing a lawsuit. In addition, a reputable lemon law attorney should never require a retainer or request a percentage of your award. In fact, according to lemon laws in most states, the manufacturer of your vehicle should pay your attorney’s fees.
They Help You Receive Compensation
Depending on the state laws and your specific case, lemon law attorneys can help you receive compensation in the form of a new vehicle, a refund, or other damages, such as reimbursement for rental car costs and repair expenses. Most lemon law attorneys work on a contingency basis, meaning they will only get paid if they successfully win your case and receive compensation for you.
When you work with a lemon law attorney, they will help you assemble all of the necessary documentation to file a claim, such as lease or sales agreements, timelines and records of reasonable repair attempts, the manufacturer’s warranty, and more. A good lemon law attorney will ensure that all of this paperwork is complete and accurate, as any errors could lead to the manufacturer getting off the hook for a defective vehicle.
A skilled lawyer will work as your advocate throughout the process, ensuring that you are treated fairly by the manufacturer and receive maximum compensation for your case. Be careful not to work with national “lemon law” firms that charge you upfront fees or a percentage of the buyback judgment.
Many of our clients financed their vehicles, and a settlement from a successful lemon law case can allow them to pay off what remains on their auto loan, freeing up funds that they can use toward a newer vehicle with fewer problems than the one they now drive.
