Dealing with a defective vehicle can make life difficult. If the same issue persists, you might be driving a lemon. The good news is that Louisiana Lemon Law protects drivers of defective vehicles. At Timothy Abeel & Associates, we can help you get a refund, cash settlement, or replacement vehicle. Our experienced Lemon Law lawyers will advocate for your consumer rights and help you get the compensation you deserve.
Louisiana Law ensures you don’t have to settle for a defective vehicle. Contact the dedicated Lemon Law lawyers at Timothy Abeel & Associates today for a free case review! Together, we’ll work towards a fair resolution so you can get back to driving a safe and operational vehicle.
Louisiana Lemon Law, Explained
Louisiana consumers who have purchased or leased a defective vehicle are eligible for certain protections under Louisiana Lemon Law. If the dealer or manufacturer has made multiple unsuccessful attempts at repairing your vehicle for the same issue, Louisiana Lemon Law holds the manufacturer accountable and requires them to provide you with fair compensation.
Has your vehicle faced a repeat issue within your first year of ownership? If so, you could be eligible for restitution in the form of a cash settlement, refund, or replacement vehicle. Time is of the essence because every added mile of usage could reduce your compensation, so call one of our Lemon Law lawyers in Louisiana. We can pursue a fair resolution for you in the following ways:
- Arbitration
- Litigation
- Settlement
Our dedicated Lemon Law attorneys are prepared to litigate on your behalf. However, if the manufacturer offers arbitration, you must pursue this process before proceeding with litigation. Should a satisfactory settlement not be reached through arbitration, we will move forward with litigation.
Our goal is to win you a fair and swift resolution. If arbitration occurs, an experienced arbitrator from our team will guide you through the process, ensuring your rights are upheld. However, if we can’t arrive at a fair settlement through arbitration, we’re ready to fight for you in court.
If you believe you’ve received a lemon vehicle, call Timothy Abeel & Associates today for a free consultation. We’ll provide you with insightful Lemon Law tips to secure you the best possible outcome.
Qualifying for Compensation Under Lemon Law in Louisiana
A vehicle qualifies for Louisiana Lemon Law protections when it malfunctions before its warranty expires or within the first year of delivery to its owner (whichever comes first). The owner must notify the dealer or manufacturer of the issue within the stated timeline. Once they have done so, a vehicle qualifies as a lemon if:
- The manufacturer has made at least four unsuccessful attempts to repair the defect
- The defect affects the market value or use of the vehicle
- The vehicle is out of service due to repairs for 45 total calendar days
Should your vehicle meet these criteria, the court presumes it is a lemon. If the manufacturer fails to comply with Lemon Law and does not offer you fair remedy, you have up to three years after receiving your vehicle, or one year after the warranty expires, to file a claim against them.
If the vehicle manufacturer offers arbitration, you are required to go through this process as a first attempt at a resolution. If they do not offer arbitration or a satisfactory remedy cannot be reached through arbitration, we can move forward with litigation.
A Louisiana Lemon Law attorney from Timothy Abeel & Associates will support you through arbitration or litigation. We will advocate for you to secure one of the following remedies:
- Additional repairs
- A vehicle replacement
- A refund
- A cash settlement
- Reimbursement for out-of-pocket costs
If your resolution comes in the form of a refund, that refund will include:
- The full purchase price
- Sales tax
- Financing costs
- License and registration fees
The manufacturer will deduct a “reasonable allowance for use” from your refund, which is why you shouldn’t delay your claim. Each additional mile you put on your vehicle will impact your final compensation.
Should you elect to receive a replacement vehicle instead of a refund, the manufacturer must provide you with one that is comparable in make, model, and mileage to your original vehicle. The manufacturer must resume your loan where it remains for your original vehicle. In other words, they must credit you for all payments made and cannot create new terms.
Whichever remedy you win — refund or replacement vehicle — the manufacturer will be responsible for paying for all costs you incurred related to the defect, including repairs, towing, and rentals. We will also pursue the manufacturer for your legal fees and court costs.
How It Works
Ready to get the support of our experienced and dedicated Louisiana Lemon Law attorneys? A Timothy Abeel & Associates lawyer is waiting to take your call and walk you through the Lemon Law process. Here is how to get started:
1. Complete Our Online Form
First, you’ll fill out our online form and provide us with basic information about yourself and your vehicle. A Timothy Abeel & Associates Lemon Law attorney in Louisiana will conduct a free case review to determine the value of your case and decide the best way forward.
2. Send Your Documentation
Next, we’ll guide you through collecting the proper documentation, including:
- Vehicle purchase records
- Repair records
- Receipts for out-of-pocket expenses
While we review and build your case, we advise you to keep up with car payments and move forward with any dealership or manufacturer-recommended repairs. You can provide us with new documents for these events as they occur.
3. Let Us Do The Work
Once we have your documents, your work is done. We’ll take it from there! Our attorneys will handle all correspondence with the manufacturer, negotiating with them and fighting for a fair resolution on your behalf. If arbitration is offered, we’ll be by your side through it, ensuring you get the best possible outcome. If we need to move on to litigation, we’ll be prepared to fight for you in court. There’s no financial risk in working with us because we’ll bill the manufacturer for 100% of our legal fees and court costs.
Time is of the essence — don’t let another day go by when you’re stuck with a lemon. The sooner we file your claim, the higher your compensation could be. Schedule your free case review today!
Let Timothy Abeel & Associates Help You
At Timothy Abeel & Associates, we’re determined to secure you fair compensation. We understand how disruptive a defective vehicle is to your life, and we will fight for a resolution that compensates you accordingly for the challenges you have faced. When you partner with us, you’ll unlock these benefits:
Experienced Team
Our team of attorneys bring decades of experience winning lemon cases. We’ve assisted thousands of clients in obtaining a refund or replacement vehicle and will work tirelessly until you receive the remedy you deserve. Our familiarity with Lemon Law is second to none, and we’ll ensure you feel supported from start to finish.
Free Case Reviews
Every service you receive from us is free, beginning with your case review. A Louisiana Lemon Law attorney from our team will look over your case details and give you a clear understanding of the value of your case. From there, we’ll discuss our strategy for earning you an optimal outcome.
No Legal Fees
Receiving our professional guidance won’t cost you a dime. The manufacturer will be responsible for our attorney’s fees and court costs. We don’t get paid until you do, because our legal costs will be a part of your settlement. You shouldn’t have to pay for a manufacturer’s negligence.
Don’t live with a lemon any longer. Call us at Timothy Abeel & Associates today for your free case review!
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions about Louisiana Lemon Law? Find additional information about your consumer rights with a defective vehicle below.
To qualify for Louisiana Lemon Law protections, your vehicle must meet the following criteria:
- It is a new or used car, van, truck, or all-terrain vehicle used for personal or commercial purposes
- It does not exceed 10,000 pounds
- It was sold to you in Louisiana
Louisiana Lemon Law differs from most state Lemon Laws in three distinct ways:
- It extends to used vehicles so long as the warranty has not expired
- It covers all-terrain vehicles
- It covers vehicles used for commercial purposes
It’s important to note that while Louisiana Lemon Law protects vehicles sometimes used for commercial purposes, it does not protect those used exclusively for commercial purposes. One of our seasoned Lemon Law lawyers can help you understand whether or not your commercial vehicle qualifies for protection.
If you believe that you’re driving a lemon, immediately notify the manufacturer in writing. This gives them the allowed amount of time to try to repair the vehicle. Only take your vehicle to the manufacturer-recommended repair facility. Never attempt to perform repairs yourself, as this can damage your vehicle and harm your case.
While the dealership or manufacturer attempts to repair your vehicle, continue making your scheduled car payments. While you’re waiting for repairs, call us at Timothy Abeel & Associates so we can start building your case. Collect records for all repairs, and payments made, and provide us with copies. If the manufacturer fails to fix your vehicle or provide you with proper compensation per the warranty terms, we’ll be prepared to fight for you.
We recognize how debilitating it is to be without a fully operational vehicle. However, not every issue is covered under Lemon Law. Below are the defects that are covered:
- Any defect expressly covered in the warranty
- A defect the manufacturer or dealer has made at least four attempts to repair
- A defect that impacts the vehicle’s use or value
- A defect that has made your vehicle inoperable for 45 total days due to repairs
Remember to obtain an itemized receipt for each repair visit. We will use this to build your claim and demand reimbursement for these costs in your settlement.
Under Louisiana Lemon Law, you might expect one of the following lemon law remedies:
- A refund. The manufacturer will buy back your vehicle and reimburse you the full purchase price, plus any applicable taxes and fees.
- A replacement vehicle. The manufacturer will provide you with a replacement vehicle of similar make, model, and mileage to your original vehicle.
Whichever remedy you receive, the manufacturer will be responsible for covering your legal fees and court costs.
If your issue first appeared after one year of ownership or after the warranty has expired, you won’t be eligible for Lemon Law protections. However, Louisiana has extensive legislation that protects consumer rights, so you could be eligible for reimbursement under a different law. Consult with a consumer rights attorney, regardless of when your defect first appeared.
We understand you are eager to receive a settlement or a new vehicle. Unfortunately, we can’t provide you with an exact timeline for your case. Lemon Law cases are complex and timelines depend on whether we must litigate, how satisfactory of a remedy the manufacturer offers, and the court calendar. However, we guarantee that if negotiations are stalling at the 90-day mark, we will proceed with arbitration or litigation.
No. When you work with us, any legal cost you incur will come out of your settlement — not out of your pocket. We will bill the manufacturer for any legal fees, including attorney fees, filing fees, and court costs associated with winning your compensation.
Yes, Louisiana Lemon Law protects drivers of defective motorcycles and off-road vehicles. However, the driver must use either of these vehicles primarily for personal and household purposes. The same regulations apply to motorcycles and off-road vehicles as other vehicles; i.e., they cannot exceed 10,000 pounds and the warranty must not have expired.
You are not required by law to use a lawyer in your Louisiana Lemon Law case. However, we strongly recommend that you do. The court system is nuanced and your chances at a fair remedy are stronger with an experienced Lemon Law attorney by your side. Don’t waste another day stuck with a lemon. Call a Timothy Abeel & Associates Lemon Law attorney. Louisiana drivers of defective vehicles have rights, and we’re here to fight for yours.