{"id":352645,"date":"2016-04-04T10:42:05","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:42:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/consumer\/lemon-law\/getting-an-attorney-s-help-lemon-laws-car-buyer-protections.html"},"modified":"2024-01-17T15:34:09","modified_gmt":"2024-01-17T20:34:09","slug":"getting-an-attorney-s-help-lemon-laws-car-buyer-protections","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/lemon-law\/getting-an-attorney-s-help-lemon-laws-car-buyer-protections.html","title":{"rendered":"Getting an Attorney’s Help: Lemon Law Claims"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

Getting an Attorney's Help: Lemon Law Claims<\/h1>\n
\n
\n By Natalie Moritz<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Purchasing a new vehicle that needs what seems like endless repairs is not typical. If you have recently bought a car under warranty<\/a> with a defect that hasn’t been resolved despite repeated repair attempts<\/a>, you may have bought a lemon. This is something an attorney can help you determine.<\/p>\r\n

Consumer protection and lemon laws<\/a> protect you from defective products, including motor vehicles, and fraudulent selling practices. Still, just because your new car has mechanical issues doesn’t mean it’s a lemon<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Pursuing a lemon law claim is a complicated process with several steps. Depending on your situation, working with a lemon law attorney may better your changes of getting a replacement vehicle or a refund from the manufacturer or dealership<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Do I Need a Lawyer for My Lemon Law Case?<\/h2>\r\n

While you may be able to handle a lemon law claim on your own, having legal representation can be beneficial. A lawyer can help you understand the full extent of compensation you may be entitled to, including refunds, replacement vehicles, or other remedies<\/a> available under lemon laws.<\/p>\r\n

Lemon laws vary by state<\/a>, and a local attorney with expertise in your jurisdiction’s laws and familiarity with local dealerships can guide you through this overwhelming process.<\/p>\r\n

Besides state laws, there is also a federal law<\/a> that protects consumers from defective products. Known as the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act<\/a>, this law covers products under warranty. A consumer protection attorney with knowledge of both your state’s lemon law and the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act can be critical if you need to pursue legal action.<\/p>\r\n

An attorney can be even more helpful if you have mechanical issues with a recent motorcycle, motor home, or used vehicle purchase. Some lemon laws extend to cover these vehicles, but the conditions may be different. Most lemon laws serve to protect new motor vehicle purchases. However, some states’ lemon laws cover used cars with time remaining on their manufacturer’s warranty<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

You may have a better chance at reaching a resolution with the car dealer and a full refund with an attorney on your side.<\/p>\r\n

How an Attorney Can Help<\/h2>\r\n

If you choose to work with an attorney for your lemon law claim, they will do more than offer legal advice. They will provide a comprehensive case review to determine if legal action based on a lemon law violation or auto dealer fraud<\/a> is the next best step.<\/p>\r\n

The first thing your attorney will do is determine if your vehicle qualifies as a lemon<\/a>. This varies by state but can depend on the mileage on your odometer, the length of time since the vehicle purchase, and the amount of repair attempts.<\/p>\r\n

If your vehicle meets the criteria for a lemon, your attorney will do several things to protect your interests. Some of these actions include:<\/p>\r\n