Lemon Law in Fort Wayne, IN

Life brings enough stress. The last thing you want to concern yourself with is the possibility that someone may take advantage of you by selling you a damaged or inferior automobile.

Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon occurrence. But, there are instituted lemon laws to protect Fort Wayne residents who buy a damaged car.  In order to exercise your rights, you may want to retain an experienced lemon law attorney in Fort Wayne.

What Is a Lemon Law?

Lemon laws deal with consumer protections that are particularly applicable to automobile purchases. For any Fort Wayne, Indiana 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 Fort Wayne, Indiana 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 Indiana to ensure you remain within the legal confines.

According to the Indiana Attorney General, Fort Wayne residents that have purchased a lemon should report the defect immediately; both to the manufacturer and to the state consumer protections board. You must give  a dealer or manufacturer ample time or opportunities to fix the defect before it can be declared a lemon. Still, after you report the defect, you may want your next call to be one that engages the services of an experienced Fort Wayne lemon lawyer.

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 Fort Wayne 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 , Indiana 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.

Fort Wayne residents that purchase used cars must go through the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, if their car is a lemon. Indiana Lemon Laws do not extend their protections to used cars.

When Should You Hire a Qualified Fort Wayne, Indiana 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 , Indiana 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 Fort Wayne 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 Indiana 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 Fort Wayne law firm should not charge clients fees. If you win your case, the manufacturer pays the attorney’s fees.

You may reach a point where you and your Fort Wayne lemon lawyer are forced to file suit in court against a dealer or manufacturer. This will most likely take place in either the Allen County Small Claims Court, or the Allen County Superior Court.

Work With an Experienced Local Lawyer In Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Do you need immediate help? Then one of our experienced lawyers in Fort Wayne can help guide you through the Lemon Law litigation process. We can even help you connect with an attorney across Indiana 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!