Common Georgia Lemon Law Questions and Answers
In the state of Georgia your consumer protection rights are determined by Georgia's state lemon law and the warranty that came with the vehicle.
Depending upon the claims, this may include the Lemon Law, breach of warranty and unfair trade practices (i.e. damages for failing to repair the vehicle properly). Since each case is different, we tailor the claims to the facts of that specific case.
Contact a Georgia Lemon Law Attorney for a free consultation by completing the online form or call 888-KO-LEMON (888-565-3666) now.
What does Fortas Law Group LLC do after I call or submit my information?
It is important for you to give us the details of the purchase and the service and repair history of the vehicle including dates and work performed. This enables us to know how the problems have affected the use, value, personal satisfaction or safety of the vehicle and how to proceed to the next step.
What Information Does Fortas Law Group LLC Need to Investigate A Potential Lemon Law Claim On My Behalf?
The full repair history of the vehicle including all paperwork you received from the dealership or repair facility, dated for each repair.
Notes concerning what representations were made by the dealer to the customer at the time of sale.
Did the dealer accurately record your complaint?
Did the dealer make a good faith attempt to diagnose the problem?
To your knowledge, does that model have a history of such problems?
Did the dealer say they "could not duplicate" the problem (a typical way of trying to convince the customer there is nothing wrong with the vehicle even though there is)?
Was the vehicle involved in an accident before it was sold to the customer and if so, was the damage disclosed before customer delivery? You could be victim of consumer fraud.
If there was damage before the customer took delivery of the vehicle, were all the repairs performed properly?
Did you get what you paid for or are you unsatisfied with the performance of your vehicle?
What Are The Lemon Laws?
"Lemon laws" are state and federal laws enacted to provide new car buyers with recourse against the manufacturers of defective cars, also known "lemons." The lemon laws are different in each state and there is also a "Federal Lemon Law".
What Is Georgia's "Lemon Law"?
Georgia has a lemon law in place that offers consumers protection against defective vehicles and other consumer products, Georgia Lemon Law can be found in the Official Code of Georgia Annotated section 10-1-780.
What Types of Vehicles Does Georgia's Lemon Law Cover?
Georgia's lemon law applies to all new motor vehicles that are leased or purchased in Georgia or registered by the original consumer in Georgia. The original motor vehicle title must have been issued to the lessee or purchaser without having been previously issued to any person other than the selling dealer. If a motor home, this law applies only to the self-propelled vehicle and chassis. Further, this law does not apply to motorcycles or trucks of 10,000 pounds or more gross vehicle weight rating. The law does include a demonstrator vehicle as long as a manufacturer's warranty was issued as a condition of sale.
What Are My Rights Under Georgia's Lemon Law?
You have the right to expect the manufacturer or its dealer or representative to make the vehicle conform to all express warranties by repairing or correcting any defect that substantially impairs the use, or safety of the vehicle.
Why Should I Use Fortas Law Group LLC To Represent Me For My Lemon Law Claim?
The attorneys of Fortas Law Group have handled and successfully resolved hundreds of Georgia Lemon Law Claims to date. As Georgia's Lemon Laws provide for the payment of attorney's fees by the manufacturer or defendant in a lemon law case, you can
How Long Do I Have To Report Vehicle Problems Under The Lemon Laws?
Your "Lemon Law Rights Period" ends one year after the date of the original delivery of your new vehicle or the first 12,000 miles of operation after delivery of the new vehicle, whichever occurs first.
Do I Have To Let The Dealer or Manufacturer Repair The Vehicle Or Can I Just Return It and Get A Refund?
This statute creates a "lemon law rights period" which is defined as one year from the date the vehicle is delivered to the purchaser or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. The law gives the manufacturer a reasonable number of attempts to correct the vehicle's problems. A "reasonable number" is determined by and dependent upon the type of problem that is diagnosed. The manufacturer has:
(1) the right to attempt to repair at least once any serious defect in the steering or braking system which occurs during the lemon rights period;
(2) two attempts to repair any other serious safety defect in the vehicle during the first 24 months of ownership or 24,000 miles, provided that at least one repair occurred during the "lemon rights period";
(3) three attempts to repair any other problem during the first 24 months of ownership or 24,000 miles, provided that at least one repair attempt was during the "lemon rights period";
(4) only 30 days during the first 24 months of ownership or 24,000 miles to keep the vehicle in the shop for any repair if at least 15 days of repair occurred during the "lemon rights period". These are not cumulative days of repair but count against the manufacturer as days if repairs are for the same problem.
Can I File a Lemon Law Claim on My Own?
You could however car manufacturers usually have customer care or quality care departments to deal with consumers that call with complaints. Typically these departments were created to give the customer a "caring, personal approach" when he/she has a concern or problem with a vehicle. However, if the words "lemon law", "lawyer", or "replacement vehicle" are interjected into the conversation, it will probably come to an abrupt end. You may hear excuses such as - we need further review of the situation, must confer with your dealer, talk to a superior or just the general runaround. The strategy of many manufacturers is to delay you from doing anything, thus you continue to believe they will resolve the situation.
Many consumers may become frustrated and sell the car or trade it in and buy another one if the situation becomes too difficult to pursue. Then the manufacturer will not have to accept the financial obligation and disclosure requirements that go along with their buying the car back as a "lemon". Even in those cases when a refund or replacement is offered, the manufacturer may not give you what you are entitled to under the Lemon Law.
How Do I Contact The Law Firm of Fortas Law Group, LLC?
Contact The Law Office of Fortas Law Group for a free lemon law consultation regarding your rights. If you believe the manufacturer has failed to correct the problem after the required reasonable number of attempts, we will notify the manufacturer by certified mail, return receipt requested, at the address provided by the manufacturer in the owner's manual. We will keep you informed of the manufacturer's response and help you every step of the way, working to obtain the best resolution to your lemon law case. As each lemon law case is so different due to the problems and issues involving the vehicle, the outcome will vary.
If you think your car is a lemon and you would like a free lemon law case consultation, you can fill out the Lemon Information form and we will call you back or call us at 888-KO-LEMON (888-565-3666), 24/7.