Understanding Florida’s Lemon Law

In 2022 alone, there were 396,492 reportable crashes in Florida. Car accidents can happen for a variety of reasons and human error is usually the cause of most traffic accidents. Though, sometimes, it could be a defective vehicle that is the reason a crash takes place. Driving a defective vehicle is a very dangerous thing to do. If a component in a car fails while it is being driven, this can lead to a car accident occurring. Car accidents have the potential to cause permanent and long-term physical bodily harm as well as death.

Legislators understand that when a consumer buys a vehicle, they are doing so with the expectation that it will be in safe working order and not broken. However, sometimes, a consumer may unknowingly buy a car that has deficiencies. As a result, Florida has a Lemon Law to protect consumers in these situations. Officially, these laws are entitled to the Florida Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act.

What Does Florida’s Lemon Law Say?

Essentially, when a consumer buys a new vehicle or leases one that is defective, it may be returned to the manufacturer for repair. The manufacturer is given a certain number of attempts to correct the issue. If the manufacturer cannot make the repairs, the consumer has the opportunity of getting their car either replaced or refunded. 

Unfortunately, manufacturers are not too keen on doing either refunding or replacing. This means a consumer could have an uphill battle getting what they are entitled to. As a result, there is a good likelihood that, ultimately, a claim against the manufacturer will need to be filed, but there is a process that a consumer must first go through before they can start a suit. There are many steps in the process, and it could take a while to get to an acceptable resolution which is why working with an attorney can be beneficial in this situation.

Now, if a defective car causes an accident, then a consumer has an even more complicated situation on their hands. They may need to hold the car manufacturer or parts distributor responsible to recover financial compensation for their losses, including medical expenses, pain and suffering, missed wages, and more. In this scenario, too, working with an attorney can be advantageous. An attorney can identify all damages to value a claim, and they can also determine who is liable to pay a victim their damages. 

Speak to Fulgencio Law Today

It can be disheartening to purchase a car only to find out it is defective. Navigating the process of having wrongs made right can be a multi-step and drawn-out one. Meanwhile, driving a car that is defective is incredibly dangerous because doing so increases the chances of being in an accident and suffering physical body harm.

If you were injured in a Florida car accident, you don’t have to figure out what to do on your own. An attorney can provide representation and help you take legal action. For more information, you are welcome to call a Tampa car accident attorney at Fulgencio Law at (813) 463-0123. Initial consultations are complimentary.