Texans have several protections under state lemon laws regarding buying a new car. However, finding an experienced attorney with a track record of successfully assisting clients with lemon law claims is essential.
In Texas, you can file a lemon law claim for a refund or replacement vehicle after giving the manufacturer a reasonable number of repair attempts. But how do you choose a lemon law lawyer near you?
Experience
When you buy or lease a new vehicle, and it turns out to be a lemon, Texas has several laws that can protect you. These laws allow you to get your money back or a replacement car. They also give manufacturers an incentive to produce quality vehicles.
Under state and federal laws, a Texas lemon law attorney near me can help you claim damages for a defective vehicle. They can also advise you on what evidence to collect in your case. For example, you may need to provide proof that your vehicle has a persistent issue or multiple issues that affect its value and use. You should submit service records and documents from your dealer or manufacturer, including repair tickets, work orders, and letters to the company.
Most states’ lemon laws require that a manufacturer has made a reasonable attempt to fix the problem to qualify for repurchase under the state’s statutes or the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which is the federal version of the same law. The number of attempts needed varies from state to state. Texas’s law sets a threshold of four repair attempts or 30 days out of service.
If you have a valid claim, your lemon law attorney can file a lawsuit against the manufacturer and its dealers to recover compensation for your lost time and money. Your lawyer can pursue your case under a theory of strict liability, breach of warranty, or negligence.
Reputation
The reputation of the lemon law attorney you choose matters. A lawyer with a strong track record and a positive reputation in the legal community is the one you should hire. You can learn more about an attorney’s reputation by talking to previous clients. Additionally, you can read reviews about the attorney on social media and the Internet.
The Texas lemon law protects consumers who buy or lease a new car that experiences repeated problems. It means you may be eligible to get a refund or replacement vehicle. However, it’s essential to follow the correct procedures to qualify. It includes saving all repair invoices, letters to and from the dealership or manufacturer, and more. It would help if you also gave the dealer or manufacturer a reasonable opportunity to fix the problem. Your lawyer can explain these rules and help you with the paperwork.
In addition, you must file your complaint with the Department of Transportation within 150 days of paying your filing fee. You may take the department to court to file a lawsuit if it doesn’t answer your request for a hearing.
If you’re having issues with your new vehicle, contact a lemon law attorney as soon as possible.
Fees
There is no one-size-fits-all structure for lemon law fees; each firm sets its rates. Nonetheless, lemon law attorneys’ costs should be competitive and within your budget. Moreover, many lemon law firms work on a fee-shifting basis, which means they don’t require upfront payment and will cover all legal fees associated with your case.
Under Texas law, you may qualify for compensation if you have had a persistent problem with your new vehicle that was unresolved during the express warranty period, first 24 months of ownership, or 24,000 miles driven (whichever occurs first). A manufacturer must also be given fair chances to fix the flaw and demonstrate that it materially reduces the vehicle’s usefulness, worth, or safety.
The manufacturer must then offer to repurchase or replace your car with a different vehicle, a refund, or cash compensation. Depending on the state, you may also be entitled to additional remedies such as a rental car, compensation for your loss of time, and a reasonable usage charge (a reimbursable amount representing a percentage of your actual mileage at the beginning of the repairs). To get started, gather all documentation related to your vehicle’s problems and any fixing attempts. Then, contact a qualified attorney to help you file a lemon law claim.
Communication
A lemon law attorney is your trusted advocate during the legal process. They will assess the recurring issues you are having with your Trailblazer, gather evidence that meets the requirements of state and federal consumer protection laws, and negotiate with the manufacturer to secure the best remedies for you.
The vehicle manufacturer may be required to replace it or refund you if you meet the Texas Lemon Law and the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act requirements. To qualify as a lemon, your new vehicle must have experienced several problems that the dealership failed to resolve during its warranty repairs or within 30 days.
You should gather all documents related to your vehicle’s recurring problem and work orders or repair tickets from the dealer. This information will help prove your case at the hearing. You should also keep copies of all correspondence between you and the dealer or manufacturer.
You may have purchased a lemon if you bought a new vehicle with significant problems that the dealer seems unable to fix. A lemon law attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve from the manufacturer under Texas consumer protection laws. You can start by completing Lemon Larry’s 7-question online assessment to see if you qualify for assistance.
