Lemon Law in Seattle, WA

Seattle Law recently settled a case where a couple purchased a recreational vehicle from a third party dealer that was listed as new. It had been on the initial dealer’s lot for too long, and the warranty had expired. However, the third party never alerted the buyer of the expired warranty when they purchased the vehicle as new. If you feel you have been taken advantage of when buying a new vehicle, you may want to reach out to an experienced Seattle lemon lawyer.

What Is a Lemon Law?

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

The Attorney General of Washington states that cars, trucks, motorcycles, and even parts of motor homes are covered under the state’s lemon laws. A Seattle vehicle is declared a lemon if there is a defect that affects the value, performance, or safety of the vehicle. However, before your vehicle can be declared a lemon, you must give the dealer or manufacturer ample opportunity to repair the defect.

In addition, the AG states that if your case goes through arbitration, there will be no charge for the filing process.

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 Seattle 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 , Washington 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.

Washington Law Help states that Seattle residents do not have used car protections when it comes to lemon laws. However, KIRO 7 News recently published a report openly calling for the creation of used car lemon laws.

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

If you have purchased a lemon in Seattle, and cannot come to a mutual decision through arbitration, you may feel it necessary to file suit. If this is the case you might have your experienced lemon lawyer file suit with the Municipal Court of Seattle. When dealing with dealers or manufacturers that have sold you a lemon, it may be beneficial to have your Seattle lemon lawyer by your side.

Work With an Experienced Local Lawyer In Seattle, Washington.

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