Lemon Law in Syracuse, NY

The average price of a new car has skyrocketed over the last 2 years. However, this is not applicable to new cars only. WAER reports that the average price of a used car in Syracuse has gone up by over 10% in the last year alone. Purchasing a car, only to find that it is defective later on, can be incredibly frustrating and disheartening. To combat this, you may want to seek the counsel of an experienced Syracuse lemon law attorney.

What Is a Lemon Law?

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

The New York Lemon Laws affords protections for purchased, leased, or transferred cars in Syracuse. Still, this will generally only cover the first 2 years, or the first 18,000 miles driven. In addition, Camper Report states that Syracuse residents can count on lemon law protections for their RV. If the manufacturer has been given 3 to 4 attempts to repair the defect, and is unsuccessful, the RV can be replaced or refunded under the state’s lemon law.

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 Syracuse 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 , New York 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 York Attorney General states that used cars are covered by the state’s lemon laws, provided they meet certain criteria. To be certified as a lemon, a used car in Syracuse must:

  • Be for personal use
  • Total less than 100,000 miles driven
  • Have been purchased from a licensed New York state dealer
  • Have a purchase value of at least $1,500

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

If you have exhausted all the options of arbitration, you may wish to file suit in your lemon law dispute. You may want to consult with an experienced Syracuse lemon lawyer to see if it is better for your case to file with the Onondaga County Court, or the Syracuse City Small Claims Court.

Work With an Experienced Local Lawyer In Syracuse, New York.

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