Buying a new car can be fun, but that fun comes to a screeching halt the moment you find out you have a lemon. Unfortunately, no matter how hard manufacturers’ work or how trustworthy vehicle factories, some cars are made with imperfections. The state of Florida sells an average of 511,500 cars annually. With such a high number, there is bound to be at least a few lemons in the batch. Florida’s Lemon Law exists to protect consumers who end up with new vehicles that need continuous servicing or repair.
In the event that an individual ends up with a lemon in Florida, the best course of action is to hire an experienced Florida lemon law attorney. The process of dealing with a lemon can be confusing; buyers stand better chance of success with the right lawyer by their side. Car manufacturers and dealerships work with some of the best legal teams to protect their interests, so it is equally important that you do as well.
What is a Lemon?
In order for a vehicle to qualify as a lemon under Florida’s Lemon law, the vehicle must be out of service for a minimum of 30 days due to one or more repair nonconformities. Recreational vehicles require a 60-day period.
Vehicles are lemons if they continue to exhibit defects even after a “reasonable number of repair attempts,”; in the state of Florida, this number is three attempts. If a consumer wants to start the process of filing a lemon law case, they must first allow the manufacturer one final opportunity to repair the vehicle and solve the problem before taking action.
What Vehicles are Covered Under the Florida Lemon Law
New trucks or cars sold in Florida that are used to transport property or people are almost always covered by the Florida lemon law. These vehicles may include leased vehicles (if repairs are the responsibility of the lessee), recreational vehicles (only in some cases), demonstrators, and new cars.
Florida’s lemon law does not typically cover the following vehicles:
- Used motor vehicles
- Some mopeds/motorcycles
- Racetrack vehicles
- Off-road vehicles
- Nonmotorized vehicles
What to Expect from the Arbitration Process and a Lemon Law Attorney
While it is true that the arbitration process takes place outside of the court (it is a nonjudicial process) and is free, the best course of action in the event that an individual suspects a lemon is to hire an experienced Florida lemon law attorney. Car manufacturers and car dealerships almost always have legal representation on hand to defend them. It is therefore crucial that individual car buyers do as well to protect their rights and avoid being taken advantage of.
Hiring a Florida lemon law attorney is the most straightforward way to protect an individual’s rights and fight for just reimbursement. Collect all proper documentation about the vehicle, including the original bill of sale and service/repair receipts. Using this along with the right legal expertise is essential for securing justified recourse.
An experienced Florida lemon law attorney may also be able help recover other costs such as:
- Reimbursement for registration fees
- Rental vehicle costs
- Service fees
- Insurance costs
- Related financing
For an experienced, reliable, trustworthy Florida Lemon Law Attorney, look no further than badvehicle.com. Contact us today for information.