Unfortunately, it is very common for those in the market to finance or lease a new car end up with a lemon. If you ended up with a lemon – or a car that has a defect that cannot be repaired by the dealership or auto manufacturer even after multiple attempts – you could potentially file a lemon law claim. When it comes to filing a claim, it is important to understand the statute of limitations that applies.
Below, we will discuss some of the most asked questions. For more in-depth information about the specific deadline that applies to your lemon law claim or about when the statute of limitations starts running for your case, contact us immediately. Our lawyers will provide you with all the information that you need to file your claim on time.
What is a Statute of Limitations?
A statute of limitations is essentially a timeline or a deadline to sue. It establishes the total length of time that you have to file your claim. Failing to file a claim on time can lead to losing the right to sue entirely. In other words, you could lose the right to take any legal action if your claim is not filed within the applicable length of time.
What Statute of Limitations Applies to Lemon Law Claims?
Under the lemon law, consumers who have purchased or leased a defective vehicle that has not been able to be repaired even after multiple repairs have been made have the right to file a lawsuit. The lemon law gives claimants a four-year statute of limitations to file a lemon law claim; in other words, claimants have four years to file claims under the lemon law. As mentioned above, the failure to file a claim on time can result in losing the right to sue. Therefore, failing to file a lemon law claim within the four-year window to sue could result in losing the right to sue – even if the claim would have otherwise been valid.
When Does the Statute of Limitations Start Running?
So, when does the four-year statute of limitations start? When does the timeline to file a lemon law claim start running? The four-year deadline typically starts running when the consumer starts experiencing problems with the vehicle.
The Importance of Acting Fast with Lemon Law Claims
For a vehicle to meet a definition of a lemon, multiple repair attempts must have been made. Sure, a four-year timeframe seems like a long time to take action, but if claimants wait too long to start their claim, then they might run out of time to make the necessary repair attempts if they haven’t already. Because multiple repair attempts are required for a vehicle to qualify as a lemon, it is essential that affected consumers act as soon as possible. Waiting even a few months can significantly affect the outcome of a claim.
What if My Lease is Up?
If your lease is already up and you kept the vehicle, you could still qualify to file a claim under the lemon law. Lease terms can vary significantly. Usually, the terms of your lease do not affect your right to sue. In fact, as long as your vehicle is still covered under the manufacturer warranty (which generally applies for a minimum of 3 years or 36,000 miles depending on the manufacturer) or the issues started during the warranty period, then you could still file a lawsuit – of course, as long as this is within the four-year statute of limitations mentioned above. This also applies to financed cars once the loan has been paid off.
Contact Our Lawyers Today
For more information about the total length of time that you have to file your lemon law claim, do not hesitate to contact the experts here at our law firm immediately. Our lawyers have many years of experience handling lemon law claims – always remaining committed to protecting the rights of our clients. Our lemon law lawyers are more than ready to handle your claim and help you secure the payout that you are owed. If you are ready to speak with our lawyers, contact us today. No matter the make and model of your vehicle, our experts can help you with your claim.
