Lemon Law in Springfield, IL

Did you hear that the average price for a car climbed to $47,000 in 2022?

Nothing about owning a vehicle in Springfield will be any cheaper anytime soon. Consequently, when you discover you own a defective car or truck, you have to act fast. You don’t want to go beyond the time limit and have to pay outrageous amounts to maintain your automobile. Thankfully, once you read this guide, you will be well on your way to finding the legal help you need.

What Is a Lemon Law?

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

The Illinois Attorney General can help you determine if the vehicle you bought in Springfield qualifies as a lemon. Generally, three circumstances must apply. The first element is owning a car or truck that is out of service for 30 days or more. This time will likely happen during the four repair attempts the manufacturer has to remedy the issue. Finally, their unsuccessful attempts will need to have a significant effect on the following:

• Day-to-day use

• Market value

• Safety of the vehicle

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 Springfield 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 , Illinois 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 New Vehicle Buyer Protection Act does not protect used car sales in Springfield. It is more likely that you will find legal relief through the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.

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

Many lemon law cases from Springfield will file with the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court. However, your attorney may decide it makes more sense to litigate through the local federal court.

Work With an Experienced Local Lawyer In Springfield, Illinois.

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