Don’t Wait, Get The Compensation You Deserve
Were you ripped off on an auto purchase? You may be protected under state and federal “lemon laws.” Lemon laws cover both new and used passenger vehicles, motorcycles, and motor homes registered in West Virginia and may require the seller or manufacturer to buy back the vehicle or pay for unexpected repair costs.
Mehalic Law is now accepting cases in Morgantown, Wheeling, Martinsburg & nearby West Virginia. Call us today to discuss your case: (304) 346-3462 or (866) 346-3462.
Broken Beyond Repair: The Classic “Lemon"
Buying a new vehicle can be exciting. But when your shiny new car breaks down and leaves you stranded on the side of the road, that excitement can give way to anxiety, frustration, and anger.
This may only be the beginning of your woes if your vehicle spends more time in the shop than on the road. Between repair and rental costs, your vehicle ends up costing thousands of dollars more than you expected.
You have heard all the horror stories, but you never expected it to happen to you. You bought a lemon. Do not despair. Thanks to West Virginia lemon law, you are not stuck with this vehicle—or the bills you’ve accrued.
Used car dealers make money by hiding damage and other conditions. Fortunately, defrauded consumers are protected under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, the West Virginia Consumer Credit and Protection Act, and other state and federal laws. Talk to an auto fraud attorney today for a free case evaluation: (304) 346-3462
Contact Mehalic Law for a Free Lemon Law Consultation Today
What is Lemon Law?
“Lemon Law” are federal and state statutes that protect people who unknowingly purchase a defective vehicle. The laws are designed to protect consumers from auto fraud and purchases of vehicles that are unusable or defective. Lemon laws also make it possible for consumers like you to hire an attorney at no cost.
After encountering reliability issues, and incurring repair costs, car owners may suspect that they’ve bought a “lemon”, and file a lemon law claim. This often happens after several unsuccessful repair attempts, or when product refunds or replacement are not available as promised.
Specific state and federal laws protect consumers from a wide variety of fraud involving new and used vehicles. Additionally, consumer protection laws, not specific to automobiles, may apply in your case, depending on the type of fraud involved.
Your lemon law lawyer will look at the federal and state lemon laws that apply to your case, and determine the party responsible for paying the costs associated with your vehicle repair/replacement. Lemon law settlements will also cover your legal fees.
Mehalic Law is a Lemon Law Firm serving West Virginia. Call us today for your free consultation: (304) 346-3462.
A Message from Lemon Law Lawyer Jeffrey Mehalic
Auto fraud comes in many forms, from the classic “lemon” car with mechanical problems, to a vehicle with hidden (but substantial) damage that substantially impairs its drivability. You do not have to sit back and live with these problems.
My name is Jeff Mehalic, and I am a consumer fraud attorney based out of West Virginia. I can help you hold the dealership accountable, and get the fair compensation you deserve. As a lemon law and auto fraud attorney in West Virginia, I will tenaciously pursue your claim.
If you have been a victim of auto fraud, you may be able to recover the money you lost on the deal as well as compensation for the money you had to spend on replacement transportation and other associated expenses, but you have a limited amount of time to take action.
Please call me at (304) 346-3462 to schedule your free consultation and learn more. I help clients from Morgantown, Wheeling, Martinsburg, and nearby areas in West Virginia.
What is Auto Fraud?
Auto fraud is a serious moneymaker for used car dealers. Although a wide range of circumstances constitutes auto fraud, it usually refers to situations where the purchased or leased vehicle has something that the dealer knows is wrong with it—and fails to disclose. When the dealer fails to disclose known problems with a vehicle, and the vehicle starts having mechanical and/or structural problems, the car qualifies as a “lemon”—and car buyers can take legal action.
Auto fraud may be discovered by the car owner or a mechanic or garage. The car owner will take the vehicle to a mechanic, who will discover that the vehicle has structural or mechanical damage that compromises its safety, reliability, and/or resale value. This may come from having been through a natural disaster (flood, fire, etc.), or having been through a wreck. In the worst case scenario, a car may even have been rebuilt without its title reflecting this.
Dealerships purchase the vehicles cheaply and then resell them for much higher prices. In the end, they can make huge profits, even when selling the vehicle for a “deep discount.” Below are examples of various types of auto fraud.
Types of Auto Fraud?
Auto fraud - Failure to disclose
- Damage to a new vehicle
- Accident history
- That the vehicle has been in a flood
- Frame damage
- Failure to disclose odometer rollback
- Full repair history
- That the vehicle was part of a fleet
- That is was used as a rental vehicle
- That major parts need to be replaced, such as the engine or transmission
- That the vehicle cannot pass a required inspection
Auto fraud - Repairs
- Creating fraudulent diagnostics to trick owners to pay for unneeded repairs
- Charging for unnecessary labor
- Installing used parts and claiming they are new
- Failure to perform adequate or safe repairs.
Auto fraud - Sales
- Misrepresenting a vehicle as being in excellent or good condition
- Lemon laundering – Reselling a car that has been returned as a lemon
- Failure to properly title a vehicle as salvage
- Selling a vehicle as certified pre-owned when it has been in an accident
- Adding undisclosed charges to the auto loan
- Misrepresenting coverage of an extended warranty
- Telling the buyer that financing was approved before the results come in, then taking the vehicle back when financing is not ultimately approved
- Threatening to repossess a vehicle when the buyer has been approved for financing and refuses to agree to a change in financing terms
- Adding improper insurance to payments
Purchasing a vehicle requires an investment beyond the purchase price itself. There’s sales tax, registration, and an inspection as part of your initial costs. You may spend substantially on repairs before you realize that the seller is responsible. Finally, if the vehicle is not driveable, this means renting a car, buying another vehicle, or paying for Uber, Lyft, or taxis for your transportation.
Most costs associated with auto fraud are recoverable under lemon law. Call Mehalic Law today to start the process of recovering compensation for your lemon law case: (304) 346-3462.
Are You a Victim of Auto Fraud?
Frequently Asked Questions about Lemon Law
How do I know if I have a lemon law case?
Under West Virginia state law, you are protected under lemon law if you purchase a personal vehicle that has a defect or condition that:
- Substantially lowers its value or your ability to use the vehicle
- Occurs within twelve (12) months of purchase
- Is not repaired after three (3) attempts by an authorized manufacturer’s dealership
West Virginia lemon law also applies in either of the following two circumstances:
- A vehicle spends 30 or more days in the shop during the first year after purchase
- There has been at least one failed attempt to repair a defect that could cause serious injury or death
NOTE: If the problem occurred more than one year after purchase, you may still be covered by federal law if the vehicle was under warranty.
As a lemon law attorney, I am here to help! Call (304) 346-3462 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
How much does a lemon law attorney cost?
Federal and West Virginia lemon law include a fee-shifting provision for the benefit of consumers, which requires the auto seller to pay your attorneys’ fees if you win. Other consumer protection laws contain similar provisions.
Mehalic Law operates on a contingency fee. This means that you pay nothing until we successfully resolve your case. In most cases, your attorney fees will be completely covered by the settlement you receive.
The single most valuable action you can take after buying a lemon is hiring an auto fraud attorney to help resolve your case. You can google “lemon law lawyer near me”; if you are in West Virginia call Mehalic Law to talk to a lemon law lawyer: (304) 346-3462.
Do I need a lawyer for my lemon law case?
If you are unsure if you have a case, that is OK. Your initial consultation is free, and I can determine if you have a claim. If you do, I will aggressively pursue compensation for you, and you do not pay for my services. The fee is charged to the seller who took advantage of you in the first place, and that is how it should be.
To learn more and get on your way to resolving your auto fraud case, contact Mehalic Law PLLC today by calling (304) 346-3462 or completing the form on this page to schedule your free consultation.
What is the statute of limitations for my lemon law claim?
As with all types of claims, there is a deadline, also called a “statute of limitations,” for filing your lemon law or auto fraud claim. If you let the deadline pass, you lose your legal right to pursue compensation, no matter how much you deserve it.
The statute of limitations in your case will depend on what type of claim you are filing and whether you are pursuing a claim under state or federal law:
- In many fraud cases, you typically have two (2) years.
- In lemon law cases, you may have two (2) or three (3) years.
When you meet with me about your case, I will be able to determine how much time you have left based on the facts in your case. Of course, we recommend getting started right away so that you do not run out of time. Call Mehalic Law today to begin the process of filing your Lemon law claim: (304) 346-3462.
My car qualifies as a “lemon.” What now?
If you believe that you have been a victim of auto fraud or have purchased a “lemon,” act quickly. Of course, you want to reach a resolution as soon as possible and receive your compensation so that you can get on with your life. You also need to protect your right to compensation by acting before the statute of limitations runs out.
If you believe you have a lemon car and wish to pursue compensation for the expenses you have incurred, call Mehalic Law for a free consultation: (304) 346-3462.
What kind of financial compensation am I entitled to under Lemon Law?
When you pursue a lemon law or auto fraud claim, you may be able to receive compensation for:
- The entire purchase price of the vehicle,
- Other associated expenses (registration fee, sales tax, warranty, etc.),
- receive compensation for the diminished value (depreciation) of the vehicle,
- The cost of repairs,
- The expense of alternative transportation (bus, rideshare, rental, etc.) that you had to use while the vehicle was unusable, and/or
- The time, stress, and inconvenience of the defect or condition of the vehicle.
- Your attorney’s fees
Have you been “taken for a ride” by a dishonest auto dealer? Call Mehalic Law for a free consultation: (304) 346-3462.