Lemon Law in Little Rock, AR

Everyone has milestone purchases in their life, and buying a new car sits atop the list for many residents in Little Rock. Bringing home a new car is one of the most rewarding moments, but can be undercut immediately if you find that you have purchased a defective automobile. If you are facing such a situation in Little Rock, you should reach out to an experienced Little Rock lemon lawyer to explore your options.

What Is a Lemon Law?

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

The Arkansas New Motor Vehicle Quality Assurance Act gives residents of Little Rock legal avenues to recoup their losses, or even receive a replacement vehicle should you unknowingly purchase a lemon. The act states that within 40 days of being unable to repair the defect, after a reasonable number of attempts are provided by the consumer, the vehicle can legally be designated as a lemon and the process for reimbursement can begin.

However, manufacturers are also protected by these laws. The manufacturer is eligible for a tax refund if they submit:

  • A written request for a refund
  • Documentation that sales tax was paid on the vehicle
  • Assignment of the refund to the consumer
  • Proof that the sales tax was refunded

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 Little Rock 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 , Arkansas 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.

The Arkansas Consumer Guide affirms that used cars do receive lemon law protections in Little Rock. The quality assurance period for consumers to report a lemon, new or used, is 24,000 miles driven or 24 months since taking possession of the vehicle.

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

The Pulaski County Circuit Court is most likely where you will need to file if your lemon law dispute must come before a judge. This can be stressful enough, but if you engage with an experienced lemon lawyer in Little Rock, he or she can help guide you to pursue the restitution you deserve.

Work With an Experienced Local Lawyer In Little Rock, Arkansas.

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

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