Federal Lemon Law Statutes
Lemon Law Attorney Services in California, Texas, and Louisiana
Pooling and saving your resources for weeks, months, or even years to get that brand new car, RV, or boat can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. Finding out only a few days later that the vehicle is significantly defective, however, can be one of the most disappointing events a person can face.
What is the Legal Definition of a "Lemon"?
A lemon is legally defined as a new vehicle that has a substantial problem or defect that is not fixed within a reasonable number of attempts, or that has been unusable in service for an unreasonable amount of days. If you think your new car, motorcycle, boat, or any other vehicle might be a lemon, or if you are not sure what constitutes a “significant defect,” contact me, Richard C. Dalton, LLC today for a free consultation. I have won lemon law case after lemon law case over the past two decades. I am so confident in my ability to win your case, there is no cost to you until I can get you an agreeable settlement.
Federal Acts to Protect the Consumer
Lemons may come in various shapes and sizes – from trucks to ATVs – but they are all covered by federal lemon law statutes. If you think your vehicle may be a lemon, you should familiarize yourself with the following federal acts:
- Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act: A federal act that covers any product over $25 and has a warranty, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act also protects consumers by disallowing manufacturers from drafting unfair or too-limited warranties.
- Uniform Commercial Code (UCC): A federal code that all 50 states have adopted, the UCC covers contracts dealing with product sales on various levels, specifically prohibiting the sale of products with known defects. It should be noted, however, that the UCC does not strictly define a “lemon” so legal interpretation might be necessary. Seek the counsel an experienced lemon law attorney if you aren’t sure if the UCC may apply to your lemon.
While the federal government tends to have the consumers’ best interests in mind when drafting acts and codes, corporations and manufacturers still manage to win an estimated 50% or more of all lemon law cases. Without proper representation, your chances of defeating a manufacturer in court could be extremely difficult. I am happy to help you with your lemon law case and may be contacted at any time.
Variations in State Laws
Federal lemon law statutes only cover newly purchased vehicles that are rendered substantially defective within a certain amount of time, or while they are still under warranty. For this reason, many states have created their own specific lemon laws, most of which have been expanded to also cover used or “like-new” vehicles. There are some instances where a state’s law may be stricter than the federal laws in place, and it can be more difficult to win a case as a consumer in those jurisdictions without legal counsel.
I am licensed to practice law in Louisiana, Texas, and California. If you think you may have a lemon in any of those states, I encourage you to contact me at your earliest convenience. California and Texas have some of the strictest lemon laws so I have provided useful information about them both below.
Don’t Get Cheated! Fight Back
Having a lemon – no matter if it is a car, a boat, an RV, etc. – does not mean you are stuck with it. Laws are in place to help the prepared consumer, but it takes a professional lawyer to interpret and apply them. Let me help you with this frustrating process and fight for the restitution you deserve. I know you will be amazed by the results my 30 years of legal experience can get you.
Contact the Richard C. Dalton, LLC now for a free consultation.
