Lemon Law in Honolulu, HI

Honolulu Civil Beat reports that transportation has become one of the most significant costs for Hawaiians. Registration fees, high gas prices, and other factors make owning a vehicle quite expensive. Furthermore, the sticker price for a new car or truck is higher than anyone has seen previously.

Buying an automobile that doesn’t work can feel like a hopeless experience. But, there is litigation you can rely on to take civil action. Assess your needs and odds with us today, and we can even refer you to a highly-qualified attorney.

What Is a Lemon Law?

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

Honolulu residents can consult a consumer handbook from the state government for full details. First, you will need to assess whether you qualify for legal coverage. The current minimum requirements include:

• New cars, motorcycles, or demonstration vehicles

• Used mostly for the purpose of an individual, household, or business

• Leased, initially registered, or purchased in the State of Hawaii

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 Honolulu 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 , Hawaii 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.

There is no direct state legislation to address the sale of used cars that turn out to be lemons. Drivers in Honolulu will need to rely on litigation afforded them by the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.

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

The Oahu District Court can handle lemon law litigation that wants up to $20,000 in damages. The Oahu Circuit Court has the authority to adjudicate more sizable cases in Honolulu.

Work With an Experienced Local Lawyer In Honolulu, Hawaii.

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