Get Legal Help with a Car or Vehicle Defect or Recall
Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed November 30, 2018
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If you believe that your motor vehicle or any of its parts may be defective, you might consider contacting an experienced motor vehicle defects attorney. The laws that regulate automobiles are complex. While some systems, such as the car recall systems, or the lemon laws, are designed to be easy for consumers, others are very complex and require the advice of a local products liability attorney.
If you want to learn more about your rights in motor vehicle defect cases first, see the Your Rights: Defects, Repairs, and Lawsuits and Your Rights to Recall Remedies articles.
Working with an Auto Defects Attorney
If you suspect that your car or its equipment may be defective, are having problems getting repairs made after a recall, or have been injured by a vehicle or equipment defect, consulting an experienced Motor Vehicle Defects Attorney can be very useful. At your first meeting, your attorney will evaluate your situation with you by gathering facts and information from you, identifying your options, and explaining what you can expect.
Your particular case determines the kind of information the attorney might gather from you. For most cases involving vehicles, you will probably want to bring information about the date and purchase price of your car, as well as any repair records. This will help the attorney determine if there was a defect in your vehicle at the time you purchased it, and whether there are any repairs to which you are entitled. Note that motorcycles are generally subject to the same recall laws and you will need to gather the same information for a meeting with your attorney.
If you or a loved one was injured in an accident, you should bring the police reports, medical records and bills that you have, estimates for future medical care and time needed for recovery, and photographs of your injuries and the crash site. This helpful damages worksheet can give you an idea of the kinds of expenses that can be damages in a lawsuit, as well as the kinds of documentation you might want to bring.
If you're having difficulty getting your vehicle repaired after a recall, you will want to collect information related to the service you were or weren't provided. You'll want to provide your attorney information regarding the dates you communicated with the dealership and manufacturer, any receipts or service orders you received, what you were told would happen, and what actually happened.
Don't worry if you don't have all the information; just bring what you have. Your attorney will let you know what additional items are required. It's important not to delay your initial consultation. Many states have time limits for bringing lawsuits, and you don't want to let one slip by unintentionally.
Get Legal Help with a Vehicle Defect or Recall
Automobile accidents can be traumatic -- and sometimes deadly -- occurrences. While most accidents are the result of driver error, impaired driving, or bad road conditions, a car defect can also cause serious accidents and injuries. If you believe an automobile defect is to blame for your serious injury, contact a local products liability lawyer today to discuss your potential claim.
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Contact a qualified product liability attorney to make sure your rights are protected.