When a Connecticut resident purchases a new vehicle and it fails to live up to its expectations, it is more than a personal disappointment. It could be a financial morass in which more and more money was poured into the vehicle in addition to making the payments for it. Even if the manufacturer attempted to repair the problems, a vehicle might simply be a “lemon” meaning that it is unfixable and the owner should be compensated. It is important for people to be knowledgeable about the protections they are accorded under the Lemon Law. For assistance, having experienced legal advice might be imperative.
Arbitration under the Lemon Law
In the state, the Lemon Law denotes a process for the dispute to be settled. The consumer and the manufacturer will go to arbitration. In the state, the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) may oversee the Lemon Law Arbitration Program. The fundamental aspect of a vehicle being categorized as a lemon is if it does not function under the warranty and cannot be replaced after a reasonable number of attempts. The baseline for attempts is four, but the vehicle can be declared a lemon after fewer tries. An example for which fewer tries can be sufficient is if there was a defect that resulted in injury.
The arbitrator’s role is to settle the dispute. There will be an expert in automotive technology to provide independent assistance. The owner and the representative for the auto manufacturer will attend the arbitration hearing. Each will present their side. This is not like a court case. Owners are advised to bring all relevant records, have them organized, bring witnesses and documentation, have questions the representative should be asked, and have a summary.
Having legal advice can be useful in arbitration over a vehicle lemon
People might think they can handle the case themselves and do so without legal representation. While it is certainly their right to do, it can also cost them time and money if they have a viable case and it fails because they made a mistake in the presentation or did not have all the necessary information. It may be wise to have an experienced legal professional who understands all aspects of the arbitration process and can help with the Lemon Law case. Calling for a consultation can provide guidance with how to proceed.