St. Petersburg Lemon Law Attorney
Most people are very reasonable when it comes to their expectations for a new vehicle. Unless you have rented a particular model or driven one owned by a friend or family member numerous times, you will only learn the basics about the car when on a test drive. But you make your choice based on that information and other research, hoping you made the right choice. In most cases, the more you drive your new vehicle, the more comfortable you feel with the car and your choice. But what is a buyer supposed to do when the longer they drive their new vehicle, the more issues they discover are wrong with it?
Because new vehicles are covered by a manufacturer’s warranty, many buyers are amenable to taking them back to the service department for repair. However, when the issue cannot be corrected after several trips to the service department or new problems arise each week, even the most patient buyers will become frustrated, as they should. Spending tens of thousands of dollars on a new vehicle should provide some confidence that the car will function reliably and safely. If that is not what you have experienced with your new vehicle, it is time to contact Jonathan Schwartz, the leading St. Petersburg Lemon Law Lawyer.
When you reach out to Jonathan Schwartz, you will be pleased to discover that you are speaking to a person in his office with legal expertise and the ability to begin answering your questions about the Florida Lemon Law. They will also explain the process of your free consultation and case evaluation to determine if you have grounds to use the Lemon Law to get a new car or sell your lemon back to the manufacturer.
What Are The Criteria For A St. Petersburg Lemon?
While many consumers will tell you that the legal system is never a black and white situation but instead has varying shades of grey that make even a simple question complicated, the Florida Lemon Law clearly defines what it take to deem a vehicle a lemon. If your vehicle meets these criteria, you have reason to reach out to Jonathan Schwartz to discuss processing it as a lemon:
- The vehicle was sold as a demonstrator or as new in Florida
- The issues or defects that you have experienced impact the value, safety, or use of the vehicle
- You purchased or leased the car less than 24 months ago, and it has less than 24,000 miles less any that were on it at the time of the sales or lease transaction
- The vehicle has been out of service or in the service department for repairs for a total of 30 days or more
- You have returned the car to the manufacturer’s service center or an authorized repair shop three or more times related to the same issue that has never been corrected
Get help with your lemon roadmap to compensation
Step 1: Start with a Free Case Review
Send us your vehicle details like the make, model, year, and what problems you’ve been dealing with. We’ll review everything and let you know if it qualifies under the Lemon Law.
Step 2: We Handle the Legal Work
If your vehicle qualifies, we take it from there. Our team prepares the paperwork, files the claim, and deals directly with the manufacturer. You don’t pay us. The manufacturer does.
Step 3: Turn in Your Lemon and Get Compensated
Once the case is approved, you’ll return your defective vehicle and get a refund, a replacement, or a cash settlement. We’ll help you figure out the best option for you.
30 Seconds Lemon Quiz
Are All New Vehicles Covered By The Florida Lemon Law?
While most new cars, SUVs, and trucks are covered by the Florida Lemon Law, there are a few exceptions that include off-road vehicles, heavy-duty trucks that weigh over 10,000 pounds, motorcycles, and any vehicle that is not in the possession of the original owner who bought it in Florida. It is also crucial to understand that the issue or damage to the vehicle must not be related to or caused by an auto accident, abuse, neglect, or any modifications made to the vehicle that was not completed in a factory-authorized service center. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with Jonathan Schwartz if you have concerns about these exceptions.
Decades Of Expertise Working For You
When you hire Jonathan Schwartz to handle your lemon vehicle case, you have decades of experience working diligently to ensure you get the resolution that best meets your needs. While some cases can be very straightforward, many Lemon Law matters become challenging because manufacturers hate to admit they sold a subpar vehicle. However, the team working with Jonathan Schwartz will continue until they have obtained the resolution you want and need, allowing you to purchase a new vehicle that meets your needs for dependability and longevity.
Florida Lemon Law Basics
Florida’s Lemon Law, officially known as the Florida Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act, protects consumers who buy or lease new vehicles with significant defects. If a vehicle has a recurring issue that the manufacturer fails to fix after a “reasonable number” of repair attempts, the consumer may be entitled to a refund or a replacement.
Before taking legal action, consumers are required to try resolving the matter through the manufacturer’s informal dispute resolution process (usually arbitration). This involves submitting documentation and giving the manufacturer a final chance to repair the issue. If the dispute isn’t resolved in arbitration, the consumer can take the case to court.
The law covers new vehicles and some motor vehicles like RVs (but not their living facilities). Salvage vehicles and cars without warranty are not covered.
Florida’s state Lemon Law only applies to new vehicles. However, used cars can still be protected under the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, as long as the defect is reported during the vehicle’s warranty period.
So if you buy a used car and it still has a valid manufacturer or dealer warranty, and a defect appears during that time, you may still have a case. This federal law doesn’t care whether the vehicle is new or used — it focuses on whether the warranty is active and whether the defect was properly reported.
If your vehicle qualifies and the manufacturer fails to fix the defect after multiple repair attempts, you need to:
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Step 1: Send a written notice to the manufacturer via certified or express mail.
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Step 2: Allow the manufacturer one final repair attempt.
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Step 3: If the issue persists, submit a Request for Arbitration with Florida’s Department of Legal Affairs along with supporting documents.
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Step 4: Attend arbitration. If the outcome isn’t favorable, you may file a lawsuit.
An attorney can help handle these steps and increase your chances of a successful outcome.
Yes, leased vehicles are covered under Florida’s Lemon Law — as long as the defect appears during the lease and meets the same conditions as a purchased vehicle.
However, keep in mind: if you’re leasing, your refund is limited to the amount you’ve paid into the lease. You won’t be refunded for the full vehicle value since you don’t own the car.
Hiring a Lemon Law attorney gives you a big advantage. Manufacturers have deep pockets and legal teams — going up against them alone can be difficult. An experienced attorney knows how to handle the process, file correctly, and present your case with strong documentation.
Also, Florida’s Lemon Law (and the federal one) includes a fee-shifting provision, which means if you win, the manufacturer has to pay your attorney fees. Most firms, like Krohn & Moss, won’t even charge you unless they win your case — so there’s no out-of-pocket risk.
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