A lemon law attorney can help consumers who have purchased defective vehicles obtain a refund or replacement vehicle. However, many consumers are concerned about the cost of hiring a lemon law attorney.
Manufacturers are known to try and delay the process in hopes that the consumer will give up and accept a lowball settlement. This is why hiring an experienced lemon law attorney is critical to level the playing field against these large corporations.
Costs of Hiring a Lemon Law Attorney
If you find yourself in possession of a defective vehicle, it is critical to seek legal representation. A California lemon lawyer will protect your rights and work to get you a fair settlement. However, some consumers worry that hiring a lemon law attorney will be expensive. This is not the case, however, as most lemon law attorneys offer services on a contingency basis. They will not charge you any upfront fees to manage your claim.
The way lemon law attorneys get paid is also unique compared to other lawyers. Most attorneys will charge a fee for their services on a contingency basis, meaning they only get paid if they win your case. This is one of the ways that lemon law attorneys level the playing field against auto manufacturers and prevent them from dragging their feet throughout the process.
Manufacturers use tactics to delay the Lemon law process, forcing consumers into taking low settlements. A reputable lemon law attorney will be aware of these techniques and won’t allow them to happen. They will do everything possible to ensure the negotiation process is quick and painless. This is why it is always better to hire a lemon law lawyer than to handle the situation alone.
Retainer Fees
Many consumers are skeptical about hiring a lemon law attorney because they are worried they will have to pay a large fee upfront. This fear is one of the main reasons why so many people never seek justice through a lemon law case.
Fortunately, most lemon law attorneys in the United States work on a contingency basis. This means they will only get paid if they successfully recover compensation for their clients. In addition, most lemon law attorneys will advance their clients’ costs and expenses related to their cases. This is typically done so their clients will not have to worry about paying these fees out of pocket.
Additionally, most lemon law attorneys will make it a point to negotiate with the manufacturer on behalf of their clients. This is essential because the manufacturer will likely try to use every trick in the book to avoid paying a reasonable settlement or refund. This includes creating unnecessary delays and using their legal team to devalue your case. A lemon law attorney will not let this happen and will ensure you receive a fair settlement for your defective vehicle.
It is important to note that you should always ask an attorney for their fee schedule before hiring them. Some attorneys will charge an upfront retainer, while others may charge a flat rate for a consultation. If you find a lemon law attorney who charges a flat fee for a consultation, ask them about their experience and how they would approach your case.
Contingency Fees
The law protects new and used car buyers and lessees from spending a lot of money on vehicles that turn out to be lemons. It also provides a legal remedy if the manufacturer or its authorized dealer cannot successfully repair a vehicle or equipment within a reasonable number of attempts. In addition, the Lemon law can help consumers obtain compensation for additional costs associated with purchasing or leasing a defective vehicle or equipment, such as lost wages from being unable to drive the car, alternative transportation costs, rental fees, and the like.
The good news is that reputable lemon attorneys should never charge clients upfront for their services. Instead, they should operate on a contingency basis, meaning that they will only get paid if they successfully recover compensation for the client. Sometimes, an attorney may advance some of the out-of-pocket expenses associated with pursuing a claim. Still, these expenses should be reimbursed from the settlement funds at the time of case resolution.
It is a common misconception that hiring an attorney specializing in lemon law will cost more than one who practices other types of litigation, such as personal injury or debt collection defense. However, this could not be further from the truth. It is important to look for an attorney who has extensive experience assisting consumers with their lemon law claims and is familiar with the unique nuances of each state’s laws.
Out-of-Pocket Expenses
Buying a new vehicle is among the most exciting milestones in many consumers’ lives. However, some consumers end up with lemon vehicles that are repeatedly defective and unfixable. These cars can cost consumers thousands in unforeseen expenses, such as loss of income while unable to work, alternative transportation costs, repair fees, and towing charges. Thankfully, most states have lemon laws that allow consumers to recover compensation from the manufacturer for these costs.
Unfortunately, many consumers are deterred from seeking legal representation because of the misconception that they must pay a large sum upfront to hire a lemon law attorney or that the lawyer will take a fixed percentage of their recovered funds. Lemon lawyers typically offer free consultations and operate on a contingency basis, meaning they only receive payment when they successfully resolve your case.
If you’re considering hiring a lemon law attorney, choose an established firm that serves your area. A reputable firm will have information about their service areas on their website and will be willing to assist clients in remote locations via phone or video conference. Also, if you live in a rural or suburban area, ask if the firm will still provide services during the COVID-19 pandemic and whether they have the resources to manage cases from remote locations.