Maryland Lemon Law- Find out everything you NEED to know

Lemon Laws and Extended Warranties -- What You Should Know

2012-02-14T16:28:00.000-08:00

Lemon laws are regulations enforced by various states that protect customers from defective vehicles. Different states have different rules when it comes to lemon laws, but most of them share some common aspects.

For example, lemon laws require that the problem with the vehicle be taken care of by the manufacturer, not the car dealership. There are certain characteristics a vehicle must meet to be qualified as a lemon. If a car is worked on repeatedly for the same issue and the issue keeps reoccuring, then the car will most likely be designated a lemon. If you purchase a lemon, you are often entitled to some sort of compensation that deals with how much you paid for the vehicle and how many miles are on it. As stated before, different states have different lemon laws.

Some states cover used cars under their lemon laws, while some only cover new vehicles. There are many websites where you can find out your state's particular policy regarding lemon vehicles. Simply go to the search engine of your choice and type in your state's name followed by 'lemon law.' You will then be presented with multiple websites that can educate you on your particular state's policies regarding lemon laws.

So...even if your state has a lemon law, do you need an extended warranty? The answer is a definite yes. Cars that are not qualified as lemons can suffer wear, tear, and component failure. If your state does have a lemon law, it's still quite prudent to purchase an extended warranty. Problems with a vehicle do not necessarily qualify it as a lemon, and that's a crucial fact you need to understand when considering purchasing a warranty. If you fail to purchase an extended warranty and end up needing repair, it's unlikely that your state's lemon laws will cover you, unless of course the vehicle has experienced the same problem multiple times with no record of satisfactory repair after numerous attempts.

There are many types of extended auto warranties available. You can purchase one from the dealership where you got your vehicle, or go to the source and deal directly with a company that specializes in extended auto warranties.

What your warranty will cover depends on what kind of policy you choose. Ideally, you will want a policy that covers parts and labor, as well as wear, tear and breakdown. Some plans will require you to pay a deductible, others won't.

Be sure to do your research and choose a warranty provider and plan that suits your needs and your budget. By being educated, you can save yourself a lot of trouble and avoid being duped into getting a policy that you do not want. Before shopping for a policy, be clear on what you need, and don't let slick salespeople convince you otherwise.

About The Author

Jackie Jones manages the popular Automobile Extended Warranty shopper resource guide. Do you have questions about a Ford warranty, a Honda warranty or some other manufacturer's warranty question? Stop by http://www.autowarrantyshopper.com for your answers!

Avoiding Lemon Cars

2012-02-10T16:28:00.000-08:00

The California lemon law protects buyers from car defects. The law provides compensation to buyers who bought a vehicle with defects; this includes cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, RVs and other vehicles.

Initially, the term lemon was used only for new and used cars bought and then later discovered to have some defects, but now the term lemon is now associated to any products with defects discovered after purchase.

To note, under the California Lemon Law, a vehicle is considered a lemon if it fails 2 attempts at repairing life-threatening defects.

The California Lemon law covers all vehicle nonconformities. This refers to any car defect or malfunctions that:

• The manufacture’s new vehicle warranty covers

• Impairs the use, value or safety of the vehicle

The lemon Law does not cover car defects that are caused by unauthorized or unreasonable use.

New and Used Lemons

New cars may be considered a lemon if a car defect is discovered after purchase. The car defect may occur in the design or during assembly.

Parts and wirings may not be placed correctly and can put the driver’s life in danger.

Bought used cars are considered lemon once it is proven that the car was not used properly before purchase. The car defect may be because of improper maintenance or a product of a car accident, which results to poor performance by the car.

A common malpractice done by used car dealers is tampering with the parts of the car to give impression of low mileage and to hide technical defects of the car.

A form of a used car lemon is the “cut and shut” cars. This is a type of car body repair that cuts the damaged part then is replaced with a section from a similar car. This type of repair is unsafe as it will not hold and will fall apart in strenuous conditions like a car collision.

This is especially dangerous for cars with “unibody” or cars that have the floor, roof and other panels welded together to produce a car unit. “Unibodies” are designed to absorb more force but is prone to bending. And with “cut and shut” repairs, it is more susceptible to being totaled after a collision.

Avoid Lemons

Before buying a car, new or used, you should look out and protect yourself from lemons.

You can follow these tips to avoid buying a lemon.

• Research – Research on the model and manufacturer of the car. Find out if there has been a recall on the model of car you wanted to purchase, research the safety and maintenance history of the said car and ask mechanics how many times do they encounter the said model in their shops.

• Get opinions – Talk to people who own the same model as the car you want and ask if they encountered any problems and/or are they satisfied with the car.

• Get vehicle history – When buying a used car, ask for the history of the car. Make sure it was not involved in any major accidents and if there are parts of the car that has been changed. Take a trusted mechanic to check for any car defects.

• Be suspicious of cheap cars – Find out why said car is priced low. Unscrupulous dealers may be selling you a defective car that can put your life in danger.

About The Author

To help you pursue car accident claims caused by car defects, consult with our skilled car accident lawyers. Visit our website at http://www.caraccidentlawyerpros.com/ and call us toll free for legal assistance.

The author invites you to visit:

http://www.caraccidentlawyerpros.com/

Is Your Car a Lemon?

2012-02-08T16:27:00.000-08:00

There are very few things more satisfying than buying a new car. There is great pride of ownership and a feeling of accomplishment and pride as you drive around town in your new vehicle. For most of us, that new car excitement lasts until we must make our first payment or until we get our first parking lot ding. For an unlucky few, they wish these were the only negatives that they had to worry about.

These unlucky few are the people who find themselves with an automobile that will, after much frustration and exhaustion on the part of the owner, be classified on a lemon.

So just what is a lemon car? After all, we've all had the occasional breakdown of some part of our car. And no matter when it happens, it is extremely inconvenient (and often quite expensive.) When does "regular wear and tear" flow into the realm of having a true lemon.

Typically a lemon is a new vehicle (or in some states a used vehicle under certain circumstances) that has had a large number of repair attempts on a single defect or an overall large number of repair attempts overall. It can also include just a single repair attempt on a portion of the car where failure could be a life threatening situation. Each state has their own lemon law warranty act and each of them defines what will make a vehicle a lemon. For instance, in California, a lemon automobile can be summarized as follows:

Vehicles Covered by California Lemon Law - California lemon law covers any new motor vehicle used primarily for family, personal or household purposes. It also includes the chassis portion of motor homes.

Repair Interval / Coverage Period Details - To be considered a lemon law vehicle in California , the vehicle must either be out of service for 30 calendar days or have 2 repair attempt for a defect that could cause death or a serious injury or have 4 repairs for the same defect. The coverage period is for 18 months or 18,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

(Lemon law summaries and the statutes for all 50 states and Washington DC can be found at the Lemon Law Resources website at http://www.lemonlawresources.com.)

If you believe your car is a lemon, it is very important that you have proper records to show this. That means that each time you go to your service center, it is very important that they record exactly what you believe the problem is in the car and specify what they did to try to solve the problem. You need to do this for two reasons. First, you will need these records when making a claim for restitution. Second, for these "mystery" problems, dealers will try many different things and it may not be clear to an adjuster that they were all related unless you ensure this is the case on the receipts.

Once your car has passed the state hurdle to be classified to become a lemon, you must take actions to get restitution. Each state has a different procedure you must follow. Some states requre that you send a letter to the manufacturer to give them one last chance to repair the defect. Other states have arbitration panels you must deal with to get restitution.

No matter what method the state has in place for you to seek restitution, you always have the option of working with an attorney if you do not feel the issue was solved to your satisfaction. You should consider an attorney as a last resort as not all states allow you to be reimbursed for your legal fees if you win. (And of course if you lose, you would not get reimbursed.) So as frustrating as this situation may be, it is best to persue all state sponsored remedies before seeking legal help.

What happens if you win?

If your vehicle is determined to be a lemon under your state's law, you are entitled to a refund or a comparable replacement vehicle. A comparable vehicle most be indentical or a reasonable equivalent of your current vehicle. A refund will include your purchase price, taxes and any other options installed in the vehicle minus a usage fee based on how much you used the car. The terms will very a bit from state to state but this is generally what you can expect.

What happens to the car after the manufactuer takes it back?

The manufacturer will generally recondition it and put it back for sale within its network. Depending on the state where the problem occurred, the title may or may not be stamped with a phrase like "Lemon Law Buyback" when it is returned to that state for resale. However, not all states require this and if the car was transferred from one state to another, the information may not follow on the title issued from the new state.

Used car buyer beware!

While lemon cars are only a very small percentage of the used cars that are sold, this issue with titles not always conveying the true history of the car, it shows the importance of doing research on any used car purchase. If you are buying a used car from a dealer, you should insist on a Carfax lemon check report and if you are buying from an individual, you should do one yourself at carfax.com. It is a very reasonable price to pay to be sure your car has no hidden defects.

About The Author

Steven Chabotte is a freelance writer that writes for Lemon Law Resources http://www.lemonlawresources.com and My Attorney Finder http://www.myattorneyfinder.com.

articles@myattorneyfinder.com

Understanding the Basics of the Wisconsin Lemon Law

2012-02-07T13:58:00.003-08:00

Knowing the lemon laws is not enough. In USA, lemon laws take numerous forms across states. In fact, when you are plagued by a problematic vehicle it is always the best policy to hire the help of a lemon lawyer who specializes in the particular lemon laws of your state.

The Wisconsin Lemon Law came into effect from November 3, 1983 and is applicable to new vehicles (car, truck, motorcycle or motor home, to be precise), rented vehicles and all used vehicles that have been bought within the warranty period.

A quick glance at the major points of the Wisconsin Lemon Law throws up the following. In the first place, a vehicle is classified as "lemon" in Wisconsin if

- It has been bought or rented in Wisconsin,

- It is showing signs of strain within the first year of purchase

- It is showing signs of breaking down before the guarantee period has terminated,

- Within the first year of purchase or within the warranty period, four tries by the manufacturer has failed to fix its problems,

- It was non-functional for 30 days (need not be consecutive) during the first year of acquisition or within the warranty period.

An interesting facet of the Wisconsin Lemon Law is that it makes a difference between minor and major malfunctions. You are eligible to apply for compensation or refund or replacement claim under the lemon law only if your vehicle has a serious, that is a major malfunction. So it's no use crying foul if your car has a broken headlight or something equally inconsequential.

And speaking of the major and minor malfunctions, it is always worth knowing the nonconformities of the Wisconsin Lemon Law. They are:

- Conditions that do not affect the use, worth or safety of the vehicle,

- Items not covered by the manufacturer's warranty,

- Situations like poor acceleration of a vehicle with a small vehicle or when heavy steering has been employed on a vehicle without power steering,

- Conditions arising out of incorrect maneuver, misuse, neglect or unauthorized alterations to the setup.

Usually claimants have one or more sore points about lemon laws, but even the most stern claimants cannot help but praise the Wisconsin Lemon Law, which sets no deadline to file your lawsuit; instead the court will decide whether your case is too old to take up.

Under the Wisconsin Lemon Law, you are entitled to a quite a handsome compensation package. It may consist a reimbursement of the vehicle's purchase price plus collateral costs (less a reasonable allowance for use) or a similar new vehicle plus the collateral costs. These collateral costs include repair outlay on the nonconformity and alternative conveyance expenses.

If the manufacturer, who has apparently not taken your claims seriously, doesn't respond to your relief appeal within 30 days and you win at the court, you can pocket double damages, cost of the lawsuit and a lion's share of the lawyer's fees, plus any relief that the court thinks you are entitled to.

With the Wisconsin Lemon Law there are not many chances of your money going down the drains if you are found ineligible to compete for the lemon law. Your problematical vehicle, if it qualifies, can always find refuge by filing for a claim for misrepresentation, breach of warranty or breach of contract, among a host of others.

The Wisconsin Lemon Law is very considerate towards the plight of the one with the defective vehicle and especially shields from the cunning offers of the crafty vehicle manufacturers. Thus, if the manufacturer hands you a lengthy and pricey damage deduction list when you go to him for a refund or compensation, you can gleefully quote the Wisconsin Lemon Law. According to law, you are not liable to pay for normal wear and tear, such as minor dents, scratches, pitted glass, grubby carpets or slight stains.

Under the Wisconsin Lemon Law, justice is never denied nor delayed.

About The Author

Kevin Bishop is a successful writer and publisher of legal issues, for more informative articles go to http://www.lemonlawmoney.com.

Understanding the Basics of the Wisconsin Lemon Law

2012-02-07T13:58:00.001-08:00

Soured On The New-Car Experience? Maybe You Bought A Lemon

2012-02-05T16:26:00.000-08:00

Avoid Feeling Used - Research Before Being Stuck With A Used Car Lemon

2012-02-02T16:25:00.000-08:00

You can save a lot of money when buying a used car. However, before you sign on the dotted line and fork over your hard earned cash, do a little research on your state’s lemon laws to see if you could have a potential used car lemon on your hands. By gathering up your research on your potential "new" used car right now, you could be saving a whole lot of heartache. After all, you do not want to fork over your hard earned cash on lemon law attorneys down the road, do you?

There are lots of horror stories about people purchasing a used vehicle, driving it off the car lot, only to have it break down before even getting it home. And unfortunately, the fine print in their paperwork sometimes states "as is". So that means these poor people are out of hundreds to thousands of dollars with nothing but a car lemon to show for it. If you are in the market for a used car, there are a few things you can do to protect yourself.

Have your own mechanic inspect the used vehicle you are thinking of buying. You are more likely to trust your own mechanic rather than the used car dealership or private individual that is selling. Most lemon laws deal with just new cars, so you have to take care to avoid a car lemon in your used vehicle. Secondly, you can research the title of the car by ordering a report on the vehicle’s history. CARFAX is the most widely known resource for finding out about the history of the used car you are eyeing. You can also use AAA if you are a member.

All you need in order to find out whether you have a potential used car lemon on your hands is the vehicle identification number (VIN). The VIN is located on a small piece of metal on the dashboard and is usually visible through the windshield. You might want to check on those instruction stickers located on the inside of the car doors for the VIN. Based on this vehicle identification number, you can have a report run on the prospective car you want to buy.

You can find out all sorts of things from this car history report. Whenever a vehicle is brought in for any type of service, the mechanic has to enter the vehicle identification number as well as the work done to the car. This history report will tell you if the vehicle has been in a wreck, if it was salvaged and rebuilt and even if was ever flooded out due to adverse weather conditions.

Most states do not have a lemon law for used cars. Their car lemon law is usually for new motorized vehicles. Unless you live in New York where they do have some coverage, you are out of luck should something go wrong. So, do not rush into a purchase. Avoid being used. Take your time, research the vehicle and shop around! If something should go wrong with your used car, chances are that any of the lemon law lawyers around your state will not be able to help you.

About The Author

Earl Powers, US Lawyer and Used Car Lemon Laws expert at Aquest Group LLC ( http://www.used-car-lemon-laws.com ) publishes other articles related to Used Car Lemon Laws at http://www.free-car-lemon-check.com and http://www.lemon-vehicle.com/.

See Also:
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/01/consumer-protection-in-form-of-used-car.html

http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/01/lemon-law-in-florida-stating-law-as-it.html
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/01/good-lemon-law-lawyer-to-take-you-all.html

Sour Taste Over Lemon Laws For Non-Traditional Motor Vehicle Owners

2012-02-01T16:24:00.000-08:00

Do you have a motor home, all-terrain vehicle, tractor, motorcycle or any other motorized transportation with less than four wheels? Did you buy it brand new only to find out it is a dud, something like a car lemon? Your rights as a consumer when it comes to the lemon law and its interpretation depends on which state you live in. Nope, it is not the state of denial, which is what you would like to live in after spending all that money, only to get a dud vehicle!

Let’s look at the lemon law Florida has passed through legislature. Their lemon law only covers new vehicles bought or leased. The vehicle use must be for private or personal use and does not include any vehicles ridden off road or any vehicles less than four wheels. And the lemon law California has does not take into account the off-road vehicles and other modes of transportation other than a new vehicle with four wheels. However, motor home chassis are covered, but not the body.

If you live in Texas, however, you can enjoy one of the most liberal lemon laws in the United States. Recreational modes of transportation like three or four wheelers, motorcycles, motor homes, cars, trucks and vans are all covered as long as they are new vehicles. No used car lemons or the like are considered. Other states are a bit more liberal in their interpretation of these laws. New Hampshire is one of them as is New Mexico and North Carolina.

Other states typically cover new cars, small trucks and vans in their car lemon law. Some are conditional when it comes to recreational vehicles, motorcycles and motor homes. For instance, the state of Illinois covers recreational vehicles under their lemon law but not motorcycles. In New Jersey however, they do cover motorcycles and even motor homes. Ohio covers motorcycles as does Washington.

Depending on where you live, you will probably want to consult with one or two lemon law attorneys to interpret the law for you. Because some states just mention any motorized mode of transportation that you use for family or personal use that leaves the field wide open to speculation. What is interpreted as a motorized vehicle? Each state will probably have a different answer. Virginia, Wyoming, Oregon, Maine and Minnesota have more general interpretations than most.

You could be a retiree with a brand new motor home, ready to hit the open roads of the United States. Or you could be a farmer or rancher that used tractors and recreational vehicles like a four-wheeler for farm work. Maybe you are a motorcycle rider trying to save on gas or you ride a moped around your college town. No matter what the circumstance, brush up on the lemon laws your state has or consult with lemon law lawyers if you are having difficulties with your new mode of transportation. Remember your rights will vary depending on where you reside.

About The Author

Earl Powers, US Lawyer and Lemon Vehicle expert at Aquest Group LLC ( http://www.lemon-vehicle.com ) publishes other articles related to Lemon Vehicle at http://www.the-lemon-law.com and http://www.free-car-lemon-check.com/.

See Also:
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/01/top-4-lemon-law-myths-from.html
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/01/guide-to-understanding-georgia-lemon.html
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/01/know-your-georgia-lemon-law-rights.html

If You’re Driving a Lemon, Get Your Own “Pit Crew”

2012-01-29T16:22:00.000-08:00

When software company COO Don Simons heads out on the track with his Radical formula-one type racecar, the last thing he’s worried about is if he’s driving a lemon. Such vehicles are the most pampered in the world—and Simons’ skill combined with the precision power of his car has roared him around for a first-place finish more than once. Most recently he and his car broke the track record at NASCAR-rated Cal Speedway.

If Simons runs into mechanical trouble out on the track, he can pull in for a pitstop where a trained group of experts will be all over the car and have it back on the track in under a minute. A typical consumer, however, driving to work, to school and home, doesn’t have such luxury, and if that consumer was unfortunate enough to have purchased a lemon, he or she could be stuck with the problem indefinitely.

Norman Taylor and Associates is a proud sponsor of the Radical Racing Team, of which Don Simons is a part. The firm also stands behind consumers, however, when they find themselves as the owners of defective vehicles. “Manufacturers and dealers will do their utmost to delay or even prevent a consumer from getting a defective vehicle replaced or refunded,” Taylor said. “Instead of going through endless heartache and expense, it’s best to hire a qualified lemon law attorney right away.”

Taylor has assisted more than his share of consumers in gaining what is rightfully theirs under the law. A lemon law specialist since 1987, he and his firms, Norman Taylor and Associates et al., have handled over 6,000 cases for consumers with a 98 percent success rate.

If you think you might be driving a lemon, don’t spend endless months or even years trying to resolve it with a dealer or manufacturer. Get guidance and assistance from a qualified lemon law attorney. Like Don Simons’ pit crew, they can have you safely back on the road once again.

About Norman Taylor & Associates

Norman F. Taylor and Associates have been assisting consumers since 1987. At Norman Taylor & Associates, the goal is to provide clients with the highest quality of legal representation if they’re one of the unfortunate residents of California who’ve had the misfortune of purchasing defective vehicles or goods and who have recourse under the Lemon Law. They represent consumers in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. With a twenty two year history of successful cases, Norman Taylor & Associates has established their reputation as a firm of consumer advocates that get the job done.
About The Author

Norman Taylor studied engineering at Arizona State University as an undergraduate. He attended Glendale School of Law, graduated and passed the Bar in 1986. Aside from advocating consumer rights he volunteers for international human rights efforts and sponsors drug education speakers in the public school system. For more information about the California Lemon Law, visit http://www.normantaylor.com/.

See Also:
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/01/good-lemon-law-lawyer-to-take-you-all.html

http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/01/california-lemon-law-know-your-consumer.html
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/01/ohio-lemon-law-your-last-recourse.html
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/01/texas-lemon-law-understand-it-and-use.html

Don't Be Stuck with a Lemon This Summer: Automobile Lemon Law Advice for Car Buyers

2012-01-28T16:21:00.000-08:00

Lemon Law - How To Make A Lemonade From Your Sour Experience

2012-01-27T16:18:00.000-08:00

Lemon Law Background

The term “Lemon-Law” is a nick name derived from other common terms such as “Lemon-Car”, “Monday-cars” and “Friday-Cars”.

A lemon car is a defective car that, when purchased new or used, is found by the purchaser to have numerous or severe defects not readily apparent before the purchase. Any vehicle with these issues can be termed a "lemon car" and by extension, any product which has major flaws that render it unfit for its purpose can be described as a "lemon product".

New vehicles directly from the factory may contain hidden mechanical flaws or defects in workmanship, usually caused by an error during the build process of the car. These errors can range from parts being installed incorrectly, a tool that was used to build the car not being removed, a batch of materials with structural or chemical flaws or simply bad design. Usually, a car is labeled a lemon if the same problem occurs 3 times in a row over a short period, and previous attempts at repair have not repaired the problem. In most cases, if you get a lemon, lemon laws will make the company buy back the car or exchange it.

Many of you might remember that during the late eighties the average American consumer almost lost faith completely with the American made cars.

The amount of lemon cars along with the high rate of over the average visits to the car garages as well as the high repairs and spare parts cost, caused many Americans to switch to Japanese and even European cars.

This was a period of time when Americans were reluctant to go to the dealers garages and preferred to go to oil & lube services only.

At that time Lee Iacocca the CEO of Chrysler Corp identified immediately the problem of mistrust of American consumers in American made cars, Chrysler launched a campaign on national TV promising to provide a bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage for 50,000 miles or five years, which ever comes first! Then GM came with the answer of 60,000 miles or 6 years, which ever comes first! Chrysler returned with the final stroke of 70,000 miles or 7 years which ever comes first.

Few months later I went to the Buick main dealer garage in long Island, I was seating in the waiting room, next to me was a very nervous guy, I asked him why was he so upset with the garage, he explained to me that even though he had this bumper-to-bumper warranty It doesn't cover labor and the damn car is more than a week in the garage and they don't seems to be able to find what is the problem with the car...

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is Known as the "Lemon Law"

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is a United States federal law codified at 15 USC 50. Enacted in 1975, it is the federal statute that governs warranties on consumer products.

The Act was sponsored by Senators Warren G. Magnuson of Washington and Frank Moss of Utah, both Democrats.

State Lemon Laws have some differences like coverage of motorcycles and used vehicles, but there are some basic guidelines that they do share. (See 50 state by state Lemon Law Summaries at: http://autopedia.com/html/HotLinks_Lemon2.html).

In passing the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, Congress specified a number of requirements that warrantors must meet. Congress also directed the FTC to adopt rules to cover other requirements.

The FTC adopted three Rules under the Act, the Rule on Disclosure of Written Consumer Product Warranty Terms and Conditions (the Disclosure Rule), the Rule on Pre-Sale Availability of Written Warranty Terms (the Pre-Sale Availability Rule), and the Rule on Informal Dispute Settlement Procedures (the Dispute Resolution Rule).

In addition, the FTC has issued an interpretive rule that clarifies certain terms and explains some of the provisions of the Act. This section summarizes all the requirements under the Act and the Rules.

The Act and the Rules establish three basic requirements that may apply to a warrantor or a seller.

A. As a warrantor, you must designate, or title, your written warranty as either "full" or "limited."

B. As warrantor, you must state certain specified information about the coverage of your warranty in a single, clear and easy to read document.

C. As a warrantor or a seller, you must ensure that warranties are available where your warranted consumer products are sold so that consumers can read them before buying.

The laws define what a lemon car is and require that the manufacturer, not the dealer, takes care of the defects. If a number of attempts have been made to repair a defect that significantly impairs the use, value or safety of a car and the car continues to have this defect, the car is than considered to be a "lemon".

Most statutes set up a warranty rights period of either 12 to 24 months or 12,000 to 24,000 miles. The defect(s) must occur sometime during this period.

Many of the state laws contain specific guidelines as to what constitutes a sufficient number of attempts to repair, and whether these attempts entitle the consumer to a refund or replacement. These are:

a. If the defect is a serious safety defect involving brakes and or steering, the manufacturer is granted one attempt to repair.

b. If there is a safety defect that is not considered a serious safety defect, the manufacturer has two attempts to repair.

c. For any other defect, the manufacturer is usually given three or four chances to repair the same defect.

d. If at any time the vehicle is in the shop for a cumulative total of 30 days in a one year period, with at least one of those days occurring the first 12,000 miles.

If any one of these of these guidelines can be satisfied, the consumer is usually given the right to require repurchase or replacement of his/her vehicle.

Most lemon laws do allow an offset for use of the vehicle by the consumer. Oftentimes, a reduction in the consumer's purchase price return is used in relation to the number of miles he/she had put on the car. One law spells out the reduction in refund for use as follows:

(miles at time of refund X purchase price)/100,000

Only about one half of the lemon laws allow the consumer to recover attorney's fees in his/her action. Those states that do allow attorney's fees provide for a greater likelihood of success and representation in warranty disputes.

What the Magnuson-Moss Act – Lemon Law, Does Not Require

First, the Act does not require any business to provide a written warranty. The Act allows businesses to determine whether to warrant their products in writing. However, once a business decides to offer a written warranty on a consumer product, it must comply with the Act.

Second, the Act does not apply to oral warranties. Only written warranties are covered.

Third, the Act does not apply to warranties on services. Only warranties on goods are covered. However, if your warranty covers both the parts provided for a repair and the workmanship in making that repair, the Act does apply to you. (Source: http://www.ftc.gov/index.html).

Finally, the Act does not apply to warranties on products sold for resale or for commercial purposes. The Act covers only warranties on consumer products. This means that only warranties on tangible property normally used for personal, family, or household purposes are covered. (This includes property attached to or installed on real property.) Note that applicability of the Act to a particular product does not, however, depend upon how an individual buyer will use it.

=======The Author Resource Box must be included with the article copy!=======

About The Author

Amit Laufer is a Writer & Internet Marketer

MBA – International Trade & Finance.

Bsc. Computers Information Systems.

Owner Editor of: http://www.lemonlaw-cars.com/

(c) Copyrights: http://www.lemonlaw-cars.com/ - 2006

See Also:
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/02/understanding-basics-of-wisconsin-lemon.html

http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/02/soured-on-new-car-experience-maybe-you.html
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/02/avoid-feeling-used-research-before.html
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/02/sour-taste-over-lemon-laws-for-non.html

How To Get Compensated With New York Lemon Law

2012-01-26T16:17:00.001-08:00

What is New York Lemon Law?

If you buy, lease or transfer a car or motor home, new or used, and it develops serious defects that cannot be fixed by the manufacturer you can get even with the dealer or manufacturer under a law called New York Lemon Law regardless of the warranty clause or waiver signed by you.

What defects qualify for redress?

New York Lemon Law takes up and determines all major defects i.e. engine trouble, transmission problem, wobbles, stalling, starting trouble, leaks, rattles etc, except the normal wear tear.

What the law requires?

· That your car should be registered with New York State and covered with warranty.

· That serious defects must have developed within first 18,000 miles or two years from the date of original delivery, which ever is earlier.

· That even after four or more repaires for the same defects the problem has not been solved completely.

· That it remained at the workshop for a period of 30 cumulative calendar days.

· That driving such a car is fraught with danger to your life.

· That the car was for personal use.

· That due to the defects the value of the has diminished.

· That you have not made any alterations in the car.

· That you have performed your contractual obligations.

· That the dealer or the manufacturer refused to carry out repairs.

How to initiate an action?

Within 4 years of original purchase, you must fill up a Request for Arbitration form available at the Attorney Generals Regional office enclosing all documents, relevant bills, correspondence, job work records etc. If the request is tenable, you would be required to deposit the request fees.

You can go directly to court but arbitration is cheaper and convenient. You can also opt for mediation with dealers/manufacturers under the rules framed by Federal Trade Commission.

You may go for an oral hearing in presence of your mechanic or seek justice on the basis of the document disclosed. Verdict, which is appealable, is out within 10 days of the final hearing.

It is best to appoint a qualified Attorney to pursue your case as from time to time new notifications are issued by the government in the matter. Lawyers' fees are payable by the Dealer/Manufacturers and consultations are free.

Available Remedies

In case you win, New York Lemon Law entitles you to the price of the car plus all payments made by you including Government fees and levies minus the deductions allowed by the judge depending upon the demerits of your case.

About The Author

Kevin Bishop is a successful writer and publisher of legal issues, for more informative articles go to http://www.lemonlawmoney.com/.

See Also:
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/01/pucker-up-on-latest-lemon-law.html

http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/01/consumer-protection-in-form-of-used-car.html
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/01/lemon-law-in-florida-stating-law-as-it.html
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/01/good-lemon-law-lawyer-to-take-you-all.html

Sunshine State Seeing Yellow Thanks To Lemon Laws

2012-01-26T16:16:00.001-08:00

When people think of Florida, they think of the Sunshine State and their top agriculture product - oranges. However, it is the lemon law Florida enforces that makes vehicle owners see yellow. Lemon law attorneys are almost as abundant as the orange crop in Florida, so just remember them when you decide to seek any legal counsel. However, you can research your basic car lemon law just by browsing the internet or reading below for the highlights on your rights as a consumer when it comes to owning a car lemon.

The late 1980’s saw a new lemon law that holds car makers accountable, by particular situations of course, for refunding the purchaser’s money or exchanging the problem vehicle with a new, comparable model. This law does not cover a used car lemon nor does it provide coverage for ATV vehicles, motorcycles, dirt bikes, motorized scooters or large trucks with a weight of over 10,000 pounds.

This lemon law Florida has also only covers new vehicles, either bought or leased in the state. There are very few exceptions. Defective operation or a major flaw in the car has to be present which would impede the safe use of the vehicle. You have heard that beauty is in the eye of the beholder? Well, the same goes when judging whether or not your vehicle has a legitimate defect.

The owner of the car has to have had wasted a lot of time taking the vehicle into the dealership or certified service provider, losing family time and possibly loss of wages due to missed work. Ok, so the lemon laws do not exactly say that, but that is the reality of it right? Technically, you had to have taken the vehicle in at least three occasions for identical problems or have had the car out of commission for fifteen straight days due to the flaw or defect.

Here is where it starts getting irritating. After all this time and aggravation of taking your vehicle in without the problems being fixed, THEN you have to fill out a form from the lemon law Florida handbook. You can state your grievances on there and describe your vehicle problems. The next step is mailing it straight to the manufacturer via certified or receipt mail and waiting for a response. (All this hassle almost makes you want to make lemonade with that car lemon, doesn’t it?)

The manufacturer has ten days to pony up a response to your grievance. If you do not hear from them, then their rights are waived. Usually though, you will hear back from the manufacturer where they will direct you to yet another authorized service provider for another inspection of the alleged car lemon. Sounds like a lot of fun!

If you get disgusted with the entire process, do a search on the internet or ask around for some reputable lemon law lawyers that can fight the battle for you. Just be sure to keep track of all your repair receipts, any rental car fees due to your vehicle being out of commission and any other warranty work. Documentation is important to following any car lemon law. Good luck in your quest. Let’s hope that you will soon start seeing green, the color of money instead of car lemon yellow!

About The Author

Earl Powers, US Lawyer and State Lemon Laws expert at Aquest Group LLC ( http://www.state-lemon-laws-explained.com ) publishes other articles related to State Lemon Laws at http://www.used-car-lemon-laws.com and http://www.lemon-law-attorney.com/.

See Also:
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/01/understanding-texas-lemon-law.html

http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/01/understanding-texas-lemon-law.html
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/01/understanding-texas-lemon-law.html
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/01/understanding-texas-lemon-law.html

Pucker Up On The Latest Lemon Law

2012-01-26T16:15:00.001-08:00

Is your car making you pucker up like you have eaten a lemon? A spoonful of sugar will not make it all better. You need to brush up on the latest lemon laws in your state. It seems you may have gotten a dud of a car, a car lemon for lack of a better term. So you can brush up on the latest lemon law or you can consult with one of probably many lemon law attorneys available in your state.

Let us suppose you live in California. Research the latest lemon law California has to offer by perusing through the statutes in the state of California’s Civil Code. If that does not get you yawning, nothing will! To save yourself from the boredom of reading through all that legalese, you can also consult with some lemon law lawyers. Or, read on for a summary of these statutes to see if you have a legal leg to stand on. You will have to decide if you need to start making lemonade with that car lemon.

One of the statutes of the California Civil Code states that you must make a realistic effort to have your new car fixed to conform to basic warranties from the vehicle manufacturer. There is a limit of a year and a half or 18,000 miles on the car’s odometer, whichever happens first, for the problem to be rectified, before being considered a car lemon.

Of course, as with anything else, there are other provisions to that rule. First, the malfunction must have been repaired two or more times without success, with the result being that the car is dangerous or unsafe to drive in a way that might cause severe injury or casualties. Or, secondly, your car is still not fixed satisfactorily after four repeated attempts by the manufacturer. Finally, another reason that your vehicle could be facing a car lemon law is if your vehicle has been out for repairs for more than a month or thirty straight days.

The above information is just a sampling of the lemon law California has on the books. There is more to it than that, but is should give you a good start in understanding where you stand with your dud of a car. To be sure that you are in compliance with any CA lemon law, make sure to get some legal counsel.

You will discover that you can request a refund of the purchase of the car from the manufacturer. The car manufacturer can also substitute your dud of a vehicle with a new equally comparable vehicle. They would be responsible for all the taxes and fees that go with the purchase of a new car including the costs you incurred in rental and repair fees.

One thing lemon law lawyers might tell you is that if you request the manufacturer to make restitution through a new vehicle or a refund before you file any civil suit and they refuse, you may be entitled to twice the compensation from the manufacturer should a civil trial find in your favor. However, before you go through legal counsel, just save a little money and do your research on your lemon laws. It’s a tough job wading through all that car lemon law stuff, so pucker up and get busy making your own lemonade from that car lemon.

About The Author

Earl Powers, US Lawyer and What Is The Lemon Law expert at Aquest Group LLC ( http://www.what-is-the-lemon-law.com ) publishes other articles related to What Is The Lemon Law at http://www.lemon-law-attorney.com and http://www.state-lemon-laws-explained.com/.

See Also:
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/02/sour-taste-over-lemon-laws-for-non.html

http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/01/if-youre-driving-lemon-get-your-own-pit.html
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/01/dont-be-stuck-with-lemon-this-summer.html
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/01/lemon-law-how-to-make-lemonade-from.html

Consumer Protection In The Form Of A Used Car Lemon Law

2012-01-26T06:42:00.001-08:00

Lemon law was created to protect consumers from faulty and defective automobiles. Used car lemon law refers to legal support to consumers from buying used cars that turn out to be lemons. According the used car lemon law, the dealer needs to provide a written warranty. The written warranty as per used car lemon law ensures that the dealer shall repair, free of charge, any defects in covered parts or, at the dealer's option, provide reimbursement for the reasonable costs of such repairs. If the dealer is unable to repair the car after a reasonable number of attempts, then according to the used car lemon law consumer is entitled to a full refund of the purchase price.

Several norms govern the enactment of the used car lemon law. Different states have different used car lemon law. Some states in United States do not enforce used car lemon law. Various norms for used car lemon law are that the vehicle should have been purchased, leased or transferred after eighteen thousand miles of operation or two years from the date of original delivery, whichever occurs earlier.

The vehicle under used car lemon law should also have been leased from the same state where the law is enforced. The purchase price of the vehicle under used car lemon law should have been purchased or leased at least at a price of $1500. The vehicle should be primarily for personal use and should have been driven 100,000 miles or less at the time of purchase or lease.

According the used car lemon law it should be primarily for personal use or for the use of family or household purpose. Used car lemon law is not applicable to cars purchased from individuals or independent sellers.

Under the used car lemon law, a dealer is any person or business which sells or leases a used car after selling or leasing three or more used cars in the previous twelve month period. Banks or other financial institutions, except in the case of a lease, are not included. Similarly, a car purchased from a retail auto auction is also covered. In such a case the auction company should be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles. During any sales by an auction company or the dealer, the seller must provide the lemon law warranty at the time or before the sale. In cases where a dealer fails to give you the written lemon law warranty, the dealer is nevertheless considered to have given the warranty and you are entitled to all the protections under the law.

The used car lemon law sets only the minimum obligation for the dealers. However, a dealer may choose to provide additional warranty or may limit the coverage of the vehicle under warranty. The exclusion may include service or repair asked for due to consumer negligence, vandalism negligence, collision, abuse or theft, etc. Exclusion can also be for motor tune-up or repairs asked if the odometer has been tampered. There can be other several exclusions depending upon the dealers warranty provided.

Different states have different contact points or toll free numbers where the consumer can obtain free information about used car lemon law. One needs to check out the contact numbers for a particular state where the used car lemon law needs to be enforced.

About The Author

Earl Powers, US Lawyer and Used Car Lemon Law expert at Aquest Group LLC ( http://www.used-car-lemon-law.com ) publishes other articles related to Used Car Lemon Law at http://www.car-lemon-laws.com and http://www.lemon-law-lawyers.com/.

See Also:
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/02/understanding-basics-of-wisconsin-lemon.html

http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/02/soured-on-new-car-experience-maybe-you.html
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/02/avoid-feeling-used-research-before.html
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/02/sour-taste-over-lemon-laws-for-non.html

The Lemon Law In Florida - Stating The Law As It Affects Consumers

2012-01-26T06:41:00.001-08:00

The Florida Legislature in 1988 revised a law that makes car manufacturers responsible for replacing defective vehicles or refunding consumers’ money if the vehicle applies to certain conditions set forth by the Legislature. This law is commonly known as Florida’s automobile 'Lemon Law,' or popularly known as lemon law Florida.

Most of the states in United States protect consumers from vehicles with manufacturing or other defects. The law stated to prevent consumers from defective vehicles is known as Lemon Law. Lemon law Florida applied to new or demonstrator vehicles sold or long term leased in Florida. Lemon law Florida enables consumer to get repaid within a certain period of time if the vehicle turns out to be a lemon. According to lemon law Florida a vehicles is termed to be a lemon if it calls for multiple repairs in a short span of time. Usually a lemon car works cheaply or breaks down several times immediately after the purchase.

Lemon law Florida applies to only new or demonstrator vehicles sold in state of Florida. Lemon law Florida also applies to vehicles leased in Florida, if such vehicles are lease-purchased. Lemon law Florida is also applicable to vehicles in cases where lessee is responsible for the repair of the vehicle. Lemon law Florida does not cover trucks weighing more than ten thousand pounds gross vehicle weight, off-road vehicles, vehicles which are purchased for purposes of resale, motorcycles and mopeds, or the living facilities of recreational vehicles.

Information on lemon law Florida can be obtained from various websites that provide information about automobiles in Florida or United States. Consumer guide for lemon law Florida can be obtained from hotline number 1-800-321-5366, or 1-850-488-2221 for consumers outside Florida. This phone line should be answered between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Eastern Time. To file a suit for lemon law Florida one should consult lemon law attorneys who specialize in lemon law for Florida. Consumer guide to the Florida Lemon law explains consumer rights, gives steps to follow to resolve problems and contains a toll-free number for the Lemon Law Hotline and a form the consumer can use to notify the manufacturer of chronic defects and time out of service for repair.

Lemon law Florida covers defects or conditions that impair the use of the automobile. The automobile can also be proved to be hazardous or unsafe for use. According to lemon law Florida any defects pertaining to the automobile should be duly reported to the manufacturer or any authorized servicing agency. Lemon law Florida states the first 24 months after the purchase of any automobile as Lemon Law Period for that automobile. If the manufacturer fails to conform the vehicle to the warranty after a reasonable number of attempts to repair these defects, the law requires the manufacturer to buy back the defective vehicle and give the consumer a purchase price refund or a replacement vehicle. The law does not cover defects that result from accident, neglect, abuse, modification or alteration by persons other than the manufacturer or its authorized service agent.

About The Author

Earl Powers, US Lawyer and Lemon Law Attorney expert at Aquest Group LLC ( http://www.lemon-law-attorney.com ) publishes other articles related to Lemon Law Attorney at http://www.lemon-vehicle.com and http://www.what-is-the-lemon-law.com/.

See Also:
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/01/guide-to-understanding-georgia-lemon.html
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/01/know-your-georgia-lemon-law-rights.html
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/01/illinois-lemon-law.html
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/01/lemon-law-basics.html

A Good Lemon Law Lawyer To Take You All The Way

2012-01-26T06:40:00.001-08:00

Don't let that sweet-talking manufacturer lead you up the garden path where your rights are concerned. Violation of consumer rights is a serious offence these days and you have every right to stake your claim when stuck with a "lemon". When you are seeking justice for your "lemon" piece of automobile, it is always worthwhile to hire the services of an efficient lemon law lawyer.

Okay, don't shrink. It is true that a lemon law lawyer will be a pinch on your pocket, but you can be sure that he will save you a lot of costly legal hassles in the long run. Furthermore, there are many lemon lawyers who don't even charge you anything until you win the case.

A lemon law lawyer is the best person around to consult. He is the one to guide you through the entire process of claiming and protecting the consumer's interests. Your vehicle is classified as a "lemon" only after you and the manufacturer have explored and exhausted all the avenues of fixing it within a specified period of time. There have been instances when even though the vehicle did not fall under lemon law, a skilled lemon lawyer had been able to clinch a handsome compensation or even a replacement on grounds of breach of warranty.

If the frightened manufacturer is pestering you to go for an out-of-court settlement, consult your lemon law lawyer on whether this will abide by the rules of the Federal Trade Commission. There are statewide variations in lemon laws and in some states, it is essential that you go through a mediation procedure to be able to sue under the lemon law. It is only a skilled and knowledgeable lemon law lawyer who will be able to guide you through these intricacies of lemon laws.

By far the most obvious advantage of soliciting the help of a lemon law lawyer is that he is well versed in the ways and the tricks of the trade. The manufacturer will leave no stone unturned to deceive you and have you dancing to his tunes. A lemon law lawyer is just the perfect person to have around during these times, as he will know exactly what the manufacturer has on his mind and play his cards accordingly.

A lemon lawyer is just the person to file the lawsuit for you. These are legal formalities that involve a lot of complexities and it is best that you let someone well up in the ins and outs of law to do the paperwork for you. A good lemon lawyer knows that it is best to remain under the jury system of trial, which normally has a soft spot with the claimant who is stuck with a car making all the wrong noises.

When you are going in for a lemon law lawyer, it is best to check his credentials and experience. A lawyer with say two decades of experience in tackling lemon law cases is definitely worth his salt many times over than the greenhorn who is fresh out of college. Lemon laws differ by the state so if you are living in Wisconsin, it is always a good idea to hire the help of a lemon lawyer who has the Wisconsin lemon laws at the tip of his fingers. There is just no need to knock the doors of a New York-based lawyer.

A good lemon law lawyer is your only way out when you have a lemon stalled in your garage and want to glean something out of the notoriously stingy and unyielding car manufacturer.

About The Author

Kevin Bishop is a successful writer and publisher of legal issues, for more informative articles go to http://www.lemonlawmoney.com/.

See Also:
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/02/sour-taste-over-lemon-laws-for-non.html

http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/01/if-youre-driving-lemon-get-your-own-pit.html
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/01/dont-be-stuck-with-lemon-this-summer.html
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/01/lemon-law-how-to-make-lemonade-from.html

California Lemon Law - Know Your Consumer Right!

2012-01-26T06:39:00.001-08:00

What is California Lemon Law ?

California Lemon Law is a state granted consumer-right that safeguards consumers against purchases of faulty or defective (Lemon) products. Although the product may be anything, the California Lemon Law bears a special allegiance to faulty, malfunctioning automobiles.

Main-points of California Lemon Law

Also known as Motor Vehicle Warranty Rights Act, the California Lemon Law states that if a purchased vehicle turns out to be defective in the warranty period rendering it unfit for use or inflicts some serious injuries to the user, then the consumer has every right to ask for refund or replacement. The Lemon Law holds the manufacturer responsible for all the defects and problems in a Lemon Vehicle. Once the flaws are brought to the notice of the manufacturer, the manufacturer is bound to do the repair-works. In case the manufacturer fails to set the problem right even after some genuine attempts, the company must either replace the defective vehicle or refund the consumer's money.

The Law also empowers the customer to file a Lemon Lawsuit in any Court of Law if a manufacturer denies to comply with the repair / refund / replacement plea even after the snags in the automobile are detected and proved. Additionally, refund for expenses incurred on various heads like repairing charges, rental vehicle charges and even your lawyer's fees are secured under the California Lemon Law.

The same set of laws is applicable for leased vehicles as well.

Under What Circumstances Can Consumers Seek Protection Under The Lemon Law In Calfornia?

California Lemon Law permits buyers and renters of both new and used vehicles to demand for full refund or replacement when the vehicles are declared 'Lemons' - faulty and unfit for use. However, this declaration calls for the following proof:

- The defect is a manufacturing defect and is certainly not a result of mishandling.

- The vehicle has been repaired at least four times and still the defect persists. (In case of serious defects that can lead to injuries and death, the number of repair attempts has been lowered to two repairs).

- The defect is detected but is not set right within the period of 18 months or 18,000 miles (whichever is earlier).

What The Consumers Need To Do?

The California Lemon Law truly protects the rights and interests of consumers. However, the customers need to attend specific requirements like:

- Abide by the instructions in the User's Manual while driving or handling the vehicle.

- Take the vehicle only to authorized service centers for all repair-works and servicing.

- California Lemon Law only recognizes a written complaint sent to the manufacturer as a formal legal notice. For added safety, you may send the complaint through certified mail.

- All the vehicle documents, all repair records, technical reports, etc. should be kept handy because lodging a complaint or filing a case calls for accurate proof.

Unless and until you fulfill all the above requirements, you will not be able to enjoy the benefits and protection offered by the California Lemon Law.

About The Author

Kevin Bishop is a successful writer and publisher of legal issues, for more informative articles go to http://www.lemonlawmoney.com/.

See Also:
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/02/understanding-basics-of-wisconsin-lemon.html

http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/02/soured-on-new-car-experience-maybe-you.html
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/02/avoid-feeling-used-research-before.html
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/02/sour-taste-over-lemon-laws-for-non.html

Ohio Lemon Law - Your Last Recourse

2012-01-26T06:38:00.003-08:00

If you buy a new vehicle, you are sure to have a warranty from the manufacturer. What it does is that it requires the manufacturer to pay for parts and service if any problem arises. Now, if the problem is critical and it falls under the warranty, all you need to do is approach the dealer to resurrect it. And if the dealer cannot fix the problem after a considerable number of attempts, you may have a lemon. Yes, you can claim a lemon law that makes you entitled of a replacement or compensation on part of the manufacturer.

Ohio lemon law came into being to safeguard the consumer's rights against any flaw that largely impairs its use, worth or safety, and has not been suitably repaired or repaired in a timely manner on part of the manufacturer. Passenger cars, motorcycles, motor homes and "light" trucks are the vehicles covered by the lemon law. Remember, the lemon law is pertinent for the above said vehicles in the first year or 18,000 miles of action, whichever happens first. However, recreational vehicles as well as boats are out of the question. It is worth mentioning that Ohio lemon law is not applicable for used cars.

Lemon laws make sure that the manufactures and dealers reimburse the purchased price of the vehicle or provide a replacement vehicle, if they are unsuccessful to resurrect the problem within a considerable amount of time. Any letdown to act in accordance with Ohio's Lemon Law is a breach of Ohio's Consumer Sales Practices Act.

Before a vehicle is said to be a lemon, there are a lot of things apart from the manufacturer's defect, which are required to be considered. If within the first year of purchase or 18,000 miles of operation, the manufacturer through the dealer has made three or more attempts to fix the problem, but all in vain the law is applicable.

Similarly, if the vehicle does not function for a total of 30 or more calendar days for repairs. If the manufacturer takes eight or more tries to repair a sizeable problem covered by the warranty, it still calls for the enactment of the lemon law. The law also applies when there has been one repair attempt at the most for a safety-related problem, which still remains unresolved.

Ohio Lemon Law also ensures that the automakers and dealers present more information to consumers than before. Consumers should keep good records and an exact maintenance history to stay in safe hands. They should keep all warranty and repair orders intact. On receiving the order, consumers must counter check it to authenticate all the pertinent information. From writing down the vehicle's problems to filing in the repair records, everything needs to be done. Last but not the least, a consumer should certainly follow the owner's manual.

Always remember that before you file a lawsuit, arbitration is another way to resolve your dispute. Arbitration can also be compulsory at times. Generally, verdict is given within 40 days after the Board has received the consumer's application for arbitration. The best part is that the manufacturers pay for arbitration programs irrespective whether they win or lose.

With the initiation of the Ohio lemon law, there has been less problems with automobiles and hence a good number of satisfied customers.

About The Author

Kevin Bishop is a successful writer and publisher of legal issues, for more informative articles go to http://www.lemonlawmoney.com.

You Have More Chances To Win When Your Lemon law Attorney Claims The Compensation

2012-01-26T06:38:00.001-08:00

Lemon law is a state law of the United States, whereby the Government protects the right of the consumers who are deceived with a defective piece of automobile that is still under its warranty period. Lemon law differs from one state to another and like all other legal matters; there are people with specialization in this field who are called Lemon law attorneys. A lemon law attorney will fight your case against the automobile manufacturer / dealer and will help you to receive proper compensation.

The role of the lemon law attorney

Every defective piece of automobile may not come under lemon law and hence before filing any kind of case, it is wise to ascertain with the help of your lemon law attorney, whether your vehicle can be regarded as a "lemon" or not. In spite of varying versions of lemon laws in varied states, it is possible to form a general definition. A vehicle with a severe manufacturing defect (such as to affect its performance, value or safety) that has required repairing on more than four occasions or any vehicle that is not in working condition for 30 days or more within the first year of purchase, can be termed as a "lemon" and is covered by the lemon law.

If you own such a vehicle, you are eligible to file a lawsuit against your car manufacturer. Initially, the manufacturer may try to pull the stunt by saying that in your purchase / lease contract you have wavered the rights by agreeing on a certain clause or may try to persuade you for mediation or even may deny any liability. After receiving the notice of denial of your lemon law claims, let your attorney handle the case.

Your lemon law attorney will then write a letter to the car manufacturer and on receiving the reply (mostly a denial) he will file the summons and lodge a lawsuit. A competent lawyer with lemon law background and experience will help you to obtain a replacement or a refund for the disputed vehicle. Moreover, he will make the manufacturer pay the cost incurred by you on repair and legal fees, too.

How to find a competent lemon law attorney?

Though any attorney can fight a lemon lawsuit, it's wise to go for a specialized one, with say, 20 years of experience in this field. The prior experience of handling the trials or hearing the similar cases enable the lemon law attorney to know the law thoroughly and to understand the concealed motives of the car company. You can find the reference of such lemon law attorneys in the Attorney Directory from the Resources for Attorneys, who also maintain a website. Moreover, you can find a lawyer from the recommendation of a relative / friend or can contact the bar association for a lawyer referral service. Generally, the attorney should not charge for an initial consultation but you are required to keep your chequebook ready for the following phase.

Therefore before taking a legal action regarding a defective automobile do not forget to consult a lemon law attorney.

About The Author

Kevin Bishop is a successful writer and publisher of legal issues, for more informative articles go to http://www.lemonlawmoney.com/.

See Also:
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/01/if-youre-driving-lemon-get-your-own-pit.html

http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/01/dont-be-stuck-with-lemon-this-summer.html
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/01/lemon-law-how-to-make-lemonade-from.html
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/01/how-to-get-compensated-with-new-york.html

Texas Lemon Law - Understand It And Use It To Your Favor

2012-01-26T06:37:00.001-08:00

Lemon law, bears no connection with that fruit whatsoever, but deals with the right of the American vehicle owners who have purchased a defective vehicle without being aware of it. Adjudged from this point, Texas Lemon law is an automobile law that supports the consumers who buy or lease new vehicles with severe concealed defects, to get their vehicles repaired, repurchased or replaced. Texas Lemon law was put into effect in 1983 by the Texas Legislature and is administered by the Texas Department of Transportation's motor vehicle division and motor vehicle board.

Under what circumstances can you file the Texas Lemon lawsuit?

The Texas Lemon law is not applicable for those vehicle-related problems, which are caused by the owner's neglect, abuse or any unauthorized changes done to it. There are certain pre-requisites for your vehicle to be considered as "lemon" (worthless) and then only are you eligible to file a Texas Lemon lawsuit.

Firstly, it has to be a new vehicle purchased or leased from a licensed dealer in Texas. Secondly, the vehicle has to have severe defect affecting its performance, value or safety, which is covered by the manufacturer's warranty. Thirdly, the defect must be reported to the manufacturer in writing and he must be allowed to give a reasonable number of attempts (usually four) to rectify it. Finally, the vehicle has to meet the mileage requirement (not applicable for TRVs). After this the owner can file a Lemon law complaint by paying the proper filing fees.

How many chances the dealer stands?

Before filing the Texas Lemon lawsuit, the owner of the defective car must give the manufacturer reasonable chances to fix the problem. To determine this "reasonable" period, you need to pass the Four-times test or the serious safety hazard test or the 30 days test.

- If you take your car twice for repair during the first 12 months or 12,000 miles (whichever comes first) followed by two more in the next 12 months or 12,000 miles and still it is not repaired, you pass the four-times test.

- If you take your car for fixing a serious safety hazard once during the first 12 months or 12,000 miles (whichever comes first) followed by another in the following 12 months or 12,000 miles, then you pass the serious safety hazard test.

- If your car is out for servicing for a total number of 30 days during first 24 months or 24,000 miles and there were two prior repair attempts during the first 12 months or 12,000 miles just after delivery and a sincere defect still exists, then you are eligible to pass the 30-days test.

What does the Texas Lemon law cover?

The Lemon law is applicable to cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, motorcycle, motor homes, all- terrain vehicles and Towable recreational vehicles (TRVs). Moreover, the TRVs must be registered and titled in Texas, built on a single Chassis and must contain one or more life support systems.

Remember, that you must know your rights and have all the records of the repair before you file the Lemon law suit.

See Also:
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/01/sunshine-state-seeing-yellow-thanks-to.html

http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/01/pucker-up-on-latest-lemon-law.html
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/01/consumer-protection-in-form-of-used-car.html
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/01/lemon-law-in-florida-stating-law-as-it.html

GM Sued Under Lemon Law

2012-01-26T06:35:00.001-08:00

While Toyota is definitely taking the brunt of recalls lately, other vehicle manufacturers have troubles of their own: GM is currently being sued over a 2009 Chevrolet. The owner of the Chevrolet claims he experienced repeated problems that caused him to fear for his safety.

This is not the first time GM has been sued for safety issues - in 2009 a wrongful death suit was filed against them for defective seat belts. 2009 also saw a recall of almost 1.5 million mid- and full-size Buick, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile and Pontiac vehicles because of an engine oil leak problem that could pose a fire risk.

This kind of defect in a vehicle is precisely what the lemon law is about. It protects consumers from the harm or loss caused by purchasing a defective vehicle. Who has what rights and what duties in lemon law matters? It seems clear. The consumer has the duty to present the vehicle to the manufacturer or its representative, the dealership, in order that they are able to diagnose the defect and repair it. Along with the duty, the consumer has a right to expect the dealership to repair the vehicle honestly and expeditiously.

What are the rights of the manufacturer? Simply put, they have the right to expect that the consumer will present their defective vehicle at an authorized dealer for repair in a timely manner, and that the consumer properly maintain the vehicle. The manufacturer should have no other expectation. They should not expect a consumer to perfectly describe the defect they are experiencing or any other limiting requirement.

Of the thousands of lemon law clients we have spoken with, it is extremely rare that a manufacturer makes a legitimate offer to buy back or replace a defective vehicle. In each of these cases no hint of awareness of their affirmative duty was present.

Not all manufacturers or dealerships are the same. Some, certainly not enough, really do have the consumer’s best interests at heart.

If however you find yourself with a defective vehicle and a manufacturer who is not ready to step up and replace or refund as they should, find yourself an experienced lemon law attorney. Do your homework. Look at their record. See what others who have used their services have to say.

Be certain they offer you a free case evaluation without delay. Never be afraid to ask hard questions. It’s important and it can determine the outcome of your lemon law case.

About Norman Taylor & Associates

Norman Taylor & Associates has been assisting consumers since 1987. Our goal is to provide individuals who have the misfortune of purchasing a defective vehicle or goods, and who have recourse under the Lemon Law, with the highest quality legal representation. With a twenty-three year history of successful cases, Norman Taylor & Associates has established its reputation as a firm of consumer advocates that gets the job done. We represent California residents of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.

About The Author

Norman Taylor studied engineering at Arizona State University as an undergraduate. He attended Glendale School of Law, graduated and passed the Bar in 1986. Aside from advocating consumer rights he volunteers for international human rights efforts and sponsors drug education speakers in the public school system. For more information about the California Lemon Law, visit www.normantaylor.com

The author invites you to visit:

http://www.normantaylor.com/

See Also:
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/01/good-lemon-law-lawyer-to-take-you-all.html

http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/01/california-lemon-law-know-your-consumer.html
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/01/ohio-lemon-law-your-last-recourse.html
http://www.lemonlawmaryland.com/2012/01/texas-lemon-law-understand-it-and-use.html

Knowing the lemon laws is not enough. In USA, lemon laws take numerous forms across states. In fact, when you are plagued by a problematic vehicle it is always the best policy to hire the help of a lemon lawyer who specializes in the particular lemon laws of your state.

2012-01-26T06:33:00.001-08:00

Florida Lemon Law - Power To You

2012-01-26T06:30:00.001-08:00

What Is The Lemon Law - A Concise Definition

2012-01-26T06:22:00.001-08:00

Lemon law refers to the statement from the government that was created to protect consumers from defective piece of automobile. An automobile that has manufacturing defect or if it asks for repeated repairs after purchase and if the automobile is under warranty period, such a vehicle is termed as a lemon.

A law was placed for the benefit of consumers to prevent them from a lemon vehicle. In a nut shell if any vehicle such as a car is under warranty period and is suffering from various defects that prevent a consumer to use the vehicle effectively then Lemon law act or the Magnuson Moss Act comes into force.

Lemon law can be enforced on any sort of vehicle like a car, truck, van, SUV, motorcycle, boat or computer, etc. If any of these consumer durables is found to be defective then the consumer is entitled for either money back, replacement or a cash settlement. The law can be consulted with a Lemon law attorney as various states have different lemon laws. Some states have a lemon law for only the automobiles but some also include other consumer durables like computers, etc.

A dealer or manufacturer should have made number of attempts to repair the vehicle before being declared as lemon. Usually three or more attempts in row over a short period of time are required for any vehicle to be termed as lemon. Lemon law is also applicable to vehicles which have been resold but are still under warranty and meet the mileage and time criteria. More often it is very difficult to persuade a manufacturer to accept a lemon vehicle. In such cases a lemon suit is often called for.

To ensure whether a vehicle is a lemon or not one should observe certain conditions of the vehicle before pursuing a lemon law suit. A vehicle should exhibit some serious defect or some abnormal condition. Such a condition should be covered by manufacturer’s warranty. Number of attempts for repair should also be taken into account before preparing a lemon law suit. A written notice should have also been issued to the manufacturer prior to a lemon law suit.

A vehicle that has been bought back by the manufacturer from the customer is known as a Lemon Buy Back. Such lemon buy backs are often sold in auctions as used cars by the manufacturers.

The Lemon law enforced for protecting consumers from the lemon vehicles is Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. This lemon law states that any advertised guarantee should explicitly state relevant information about a warranty. This law ensures that any warranty for goods above $15 should be clearly expressed on the goods and should be clear and easy to understand. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty act enables a consumer to bring suit to any manufacturer, supplier, warrantor, or service contractor for any defective piece of good or services.

A lemon vehicle explicitly loses market value due to its manufacturing defect. Moreover, manufacturing defects may lead to several life threatening circumstances. It also substantially impedes a person's ability to control or operate a motor vehicle for ordinary use or intended purposes. Any manufacturing defect can also create a substantial risk of fire or explosion. All these risk elements call for enforcement of Lemon law in the states of United States. This law helps consumer from all such threats and hazardous circumstances.

About The Author

Earl Powers, US Lawyer and Lemon Law expert at Aquest Group LLC ( http://www.the-lemon-law.com ) publishes other articles related to Lemon Law at http://www.what-is-the-lemon-law.com and http://www.used-car-lemon-law.com.