Lemon Law in Des Moines, IA
Were you shocked and dismayed by how much you had to pay for your vehicle in Des Moines?
According to Edmunds, the average down payment for a car or truck is over $6,000. Even worse, the average monthly payment has reached an unbelievable height of $648.
With financial risks this high, how can you afford not to take legal action when your automobile is a lemon? Discover a whole world of options you may not have known you had with us today.
What Is a Lemon Law?
Lemon laws deal with consumer protections that are particularly applicable to automobile purchases. For any Des Moines, Iowa lemon law to apply, the automobile must suffer from a defect. This problem should be outside the purchaser’s control, like a manufacturer issue. Furthermore, lemon laws apply if a certain number of reasonable repairs happened to the vehicle in question to no avail.
When Do Des Moines, Iowa Lemon Laws Apply?
There are some common practices that you can take that better position you in citing lemon law:
- You should only take the vehicle in question to the corresponding dealership for repairs. By taking it there, you establish credibility by showing the responsible party attempted to address the issue. If you take the vehicle to a mom-and-pop mechanic, the manufacturer cannot become held liable for any attempts made to fix the problem.
- Be sure to keep accurate and detailed records of any repairs made. If your case goes to trial, have accurate logs that detail the manufacturer’s opportunities to fix the mechanical issues. This detail also helps build a timeline of how long you could not use your vehicle.
Lemon law statutes vary by state. You should research the lemon law requirements in Iowa to ensure you remain within the legal confines.
Des Moines residents can consult the Iowa Attorney General’s website about the state’s lemon laws. First, you will want to note that motorcycles, mopeds, and RVs are not protected. Your automobile needs to meet these specific criteria to have legal options:
- Less than two years old
- Under 24,000 miles driven on the car or truck
- Weight of 15,000 pounds or less
How Do You Ensure the Application of Lemon Laws?
Lemon law statutes vary by state. You should research your particular state’s lemon law requirements to ensure that you remain within the legal confines of any claim you wish to forward. There are some common practices that you can take in Des Moines that better position you in citing lemon law:
- You should only take the vehicle in question to the corresponding dealership for repairs. By taking it to the dealership, you establish a credible paper trail showing that the responsible party attempted to address the issue at hand. If you take the vehicle to a mom-and-pop mechanic, the manufacturer cannot be held liable for any attempts made to fix the problem.
- Be sure to keep accurate and detailed records of any repairs made. If your case goes to trial, having accurate records detail the manufacturer’s opportunities to fix the mechanical issues. This also helps build a timeline of how long you could not use your vehicle.
What Are Consumers Entitled?
You have a legal entitlement to a replacement vehicle or refund if , Iowa lemon laws apply. However, manufacturers may deduct a fee in proportion to the miles the owner put on the car or truck before it became unusable. This compensation should include:
- Down payment
- Registration
- Taxes
- Car rentals
- Monthly payments
- Tow expenses
- Attorney costs
Do Lemon Laws Apply to Used Vehicles?
Lemon laws can apply to used vehicles. However, this is for written warranties distributed along with the vehicle upon sale. Often, a used car dealership sells vehicles with a portion of the guarantee remaining. This situation incentivizes the purchase and (allegedly) puts the buyer’s mind at ease.
Only a used car with less than 24,000 miles bought in Des Moines can become litigated. Since this is an unlikely scenario, you will want to consider what federal law may do for you.
When Should You Hire a Qualified Des Moines, Iowa Lemon Law Attorney?
Have you attempted to have your vehicle repaired at the dealership? Consumers should consider legal action when it doesn’t work for 30 days. If you can’t resolve the issue with the manufacturer, it may be time to bring in a , Iowa lemon law attorney.
How Does the Lemon Law Litigation Process Work?
Consumers can expect to go through a series of motions by bringing in an experienced Des Moines lawyer. However, introducing legal counsel into the situation is the best way for consumers to receive a fair outcome. With most lemon law attorneys, you can expect the following:
- Free Case Evaluation – Attorneys should review your case for free. They will determine its merit and whether you have a justifiable claim.
- Filing Your Claim – Your Iowa legal representative should handle filing a claim with the manufacturer after determining the facts.
- Further Action – Your vehicle’s manufacturer may refuse to comply with the claim under federal and state statutes. Then your attorney files suit to seek entitled compensation on your behalf.
- Pursuing Settlement – The manufacturer should cover all costs and fees if you achieve a settlement before trial. This compensation will often include attorney fees.
- Contingency Fee Basis – At the end of the ordeal, clients should not have to pay for attorney’s fees. Even if you ultimately lose your case, a reputable Des Moines law firm should not charge clients fees. If you win your case, the manufacturer pays the attorney’s fees.
Generally, most lemon law litigation does not go to trial in Des Moines. If your lawyer advises taking this step, it will happen with the 8th Judicial District.
Work With an Experienced Local Lawyer In Des Moines, Iowa.
Do you need immediate help? Then one of our experienced lawyers in Des Moines can help guide you through the Lemon Law litigation process. We can even help you connect with an attorney across Iowa state lines!
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!
