Morgantown Lemon Law Attorney Stands Up for Car Buyers
West Virginia consumer protection firm pursues legal remedies for purchasers of defective vehicles
West Virginia’s lemon law protects consumers who buy vehicles that require constant repair and never perform properly. If you’ve recently purchased a car or truck that spends more time in the shop than it does on the road, you might be able to take legal action against the dealer who sold it. My law firm, Mehalic Law PLLC in Morgantown, is dedicated to enforcing consumer rights. I can help you through the lemon law process to secure justice and peace of mind.
What Is the lemon law?
The West Virginia Consumer Credit and Protection Act includes lemon law protections for consumers who have purchased or leased new vehicles that fail to meet quality or performance standards. If a vehicle has persistent defects that impair its use, value or safety, and these issues persist after reasonable repair attempts, the law entitles the buyer to remedies like refunds, replacements or repair cost reimbursement.
When does the West Virginia lemon law apply?
The lemon law covers new vehicles purchased or leased in West Virginia, typically within the first year or during the manufacturer’s warranty period. It applies to defects that substantially impair the vehicle’s functionality, such as issues with the engine, transmission, brakes or steering. To trigger the law’s protections, the defect must have persisted after a reasonable number of repair attempts, usually three or four, or the vehicle must have been out of service for a total of 30 days due to repairs. The law primarily applies to consumer-use vehicles, not those used for commercial purposes.
How to pursue a West Virginia lemon law case
The West Virginia law covers new vehicles, including cars, trucks and SUVs, but excludes motorcycles, off-road vehicles and used cars unless they are under an extended warranty. You must file a lemon law claim within one year of the warranty expiration or within four years of the vehicle’s delivery date, whichever is earlier. The alleged defect must cause substantial impairment, affecting the vehicle’s safety, value, or usability. Notification requirements mandate that consumers inform the manufacturer or dealer in writing, giving them a final chance to fix the issue. You must document a reasonable number of repair attempts: generally three or four for the same defect.
Benefits of retaining legal counsel to pursue a lemon law case
An experienced consumer protection lawyer understands how to obtain maximum benefits under the state lemon law. As your attorney, I will evaluate repair records, warranty terms and defect severity to build the strongest possible. case. I will negotiate with manufacturers to secure refunds or replacement vehicles. If a lawsuit is necessary, I will advocate for additional damages, like repair costs or diminished vehicle value. I may also be able to use the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act to bolster your case.
Contact a Morgantown, WV lemon law attorney
Mehalic Law PLLC in Morgantown, West Virginia helps purchasers and leasers of defective vehicles pursue their remedies under the state lemon law. Call 304-873-9186 or contact me online to schedule a consultation.
