Pennsylvania Lemon Law: What You Should Know

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Drivers who purchase a new vehicle expect to have no problems for at least the first couple of years. The car is new, after all, so it should work as expected. Unfortunately, vehicles can have problems starting when they’re first driven off the lot. When this happens, drivers are covered by the lemon law in Pennsylvania. This gives them the option to seek compensation for the trouble they experience by repairing the vehicle multiple times during the first year of ownership. To file a lemon law claim, it’s always a good idea to have legal representation. 

What the Lemon Law Covers

The lemon law covers any vehicles that are purchase leased, or registered in Pennsylvania and that have a defect that happens within the first 12 months or 12,000 miles of ownership. If the vehicle must be in the shop for more than 30 non-consecutive days to repair the issue or the issue cannot be fixed after at least three attempts by an authorized dealership, it may be possible to get compensation. 

How Often Problems Must Occur

The problems must occur within the stated time frame, and there needs to be at least three attempts to repair the vehicle. If those attempts do not succeed, it is possible to obtain compensation for the problems. The other way to use the lemon law is for a vehicle that spends more than 30 days being repaired within the first year. These days do not need to be consecutive, and they do not need to all be for the same problem. 

What is Needed to File a Claim

Drivers should make sure they take the vehicle to the dealership to have it inspected and repaired as soon as there is a problem. The drivers must keep accurate records of the issue, when the vehicle was taken in for repair, how long it was at the dealership, and what repairs were done. In addition, drivers should keep a copy of every invoice and check the invoice to make sure it is accurate before leaving the dealership. 

Using a Lawyer for Help

With the Lemon law pa, new vehicle owners can file a claim without worrying about the cost. If the driver wins their settlement, the lawyer is paid out of the settlement, but the lawyer does not receive any payment if the driver does not win their claim. Thus, there is no cost to the driver to seek legal assistance with a claim for the lemon law. 

If you’ve purchased a new vehicle and are having issues with it working correctly, there is help. It is essential to follow the steps for repair carefully and keep track of all repairs. Then, contact a lawyer to find out what the next steps are for filing a claim. They can walk you through the claims process and help you get the compensation needed for the vehicle’s problem. Since the manufacturer covers this under the lemon law in Pennsylvania, there’s no need to worry about paying for a lawyer when you file a claim. Have a consultation with a lawyer today to learn more.