Thanks to our friends at Anapol Schwartz for providing this timely information.

With the recent spate of auto product recalls due to defective vehicle parts, many consumers are exploring the potential benefits of filing lemon law claims in order to receive a full refund or vehicle replacement. Although these claims are indeed helpful, they unfortunately cannot turn back time when an individual or group suffers injury or even death from a defective vehicle or unsafe auto part. No one can. However, a Pennsylvania auto accident lawyer may be able to help injury victims or surviving family members of auto accident victims obtain financial restitution from negligent auto manufacturers responsible for a defective or unsafe vehicle’s effects.

Ever since the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act was enacted in 1966 (it is now coded as 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301) by the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 390 million cars, buses, trucks, motorcycles, mopeds, recreational vehicles, and 46 million tires, 42 million child safety seats, and 66 million pieces of motor vehicle equipment have been recalled in order to fix safety defects. One can only imagine just how many incidents of serious injury and wrongful death have been caused by auto parts that were recalled far too late.

The aftermath of an auto accident may be an overwhelming experience for those involved or injured. In determining an auto accident’s cause, auto defects or unsafe auto parts may be fully responsible, thus placing auto manufacturers in a position of legal accountability. If you believe that a safety defect or dangerous auto part contributed to your auto accident injuries, or the loss of a loved one, then claims may be filed against auto manufacturers to assist with financial hardships as well as pain and suffering brought on by the accident or wrongful death. To learn more about your legal options and rights, please contact the skilled Pennsylvania auto accident lawyers at Anapol Schwartz for a free consultation. Call 866-735-2792 or visit www.pa-auto-accidents.com for more information.

Connecticut’s Lemon Law Arbitration Program

Unlike in many other states, Connecticut residents who have defective cars have the opportunity to enter into a state-run arbitration program rather than simply taking auto manufacturers to court. The problem is that, while on the surface arbitration programs look like a good deal for consumers, many people don’t realize how complicated the process is. Let’s take a look at what’s involved.

First, according to lemon law rules, you need to file a request for arbitration. Your application and filing fee may be accepted or rejected. If your application is accepted, it is next reviewed by an arbitration panel, which consists of an arbitrator and a technical expert. There, it may again be accepted or rejected.

For many people, even filling out the application form can be confusing. For example, you need to choose between what’s called a “documentary hearing” or an “oral hearing.” In a documentary hearing, both you and the auto manufacturer have to turn in sworn statements and other evidence and documentation. The arbitration panel will only consider this written material when deciding your case. This process becomes daunting when you realize that the car manufacturer has a team of legal eagles at its disposal to poke holes in your written argument. It’s a bit like a Sampson and Goliath situation.

The same is really true for an oral hearing. As the name implies, you get to make your case verbally before the arbitration panel. But that doesn’t mean that you’re off the hook for written documentation. Indeed, you have to bring all sorts of written material to an oral hearing, including warranties, correspondence, work orders, and so forth. You’ll need to communicate all the conversations you’ve had with the dealer or manufacturer, have a list of questions to ask the manufacturer’s representatives, and prepare a closing argument.

That’s why it makes sense to have a lemon law attorney by your side. Most consumers aren’t Perry Mason, and shouldn’t be expected to go toe-to-toe with a carmaker’s legal team. A good lemon lawyer, like those at LemonJustice.com, is experienced in litigation and can prepare a case that will pave the way for a lemon buyback. Plus, at attorney can give you sound lemon law advice so that you have a strong case when going into arbitration. Alternately, he can approach the automaker directly, and reach a settlement without ever having to enter state-run arbitration.

Connecticut’s Arbitration Program

According to many states’  lemon laws, having a defective car means taking an automobile manufacturer to court. But in CT, lemon law rules provide for what’s known as an arbitration program. Administered by the Department of Consumer Protection, the arbitration program decides whether or not your vehicle meets the criteria of Connecticut lemon laws, and whether you’re eligible for arbitration. Ultimately, the arbitration program decides whether or not you’re eligible for a lemon buyback.

In order to take advantage of the state’s arbitration program, you need to file an application and documents, as well as pay a fee. First, the Department of Consumer Protection will review your application and determine whether or not you’re eligible for arbitration. If so, your application goes on to an arbitrator and an automotive technical expert. These two people will also review your application, and can determine that you’re ineligible for arbitration – even if the Department of Consumer Protection said that you are.

While Connecticut lemon law supposedly designed the lemon law arbitration process so that consumers don’t have to hire an attorney, the reality is that it’s a very complex and intimidating process. It doesn’t help that auto manufacturers show up for arbitration with or submit documents from teams of attorneys who do nothing but fight lemon law claims. One slip-up by the consumer – either in terms of the paperwork filed or in not countering the arguments of the manufacturer’s legal team, and the idea of justice is out the window.

Whether you live in Connecticut –  or any other state with an arbitration program – it’s important to have an attorney by your side. The right lawyer can give you lemon law advice, and can often get you a settlement or a lemon buy back without ever going through the arbitration process. Often, an auto manufacturer will back down because having a lemon law lawyer sends the message that you’re serious about your claim, and that you’re not willing to put up with a defective car.

If you think you have a lemon vehicle, it’s important to contact an attorney early. In lemon law cases, timing is everything. A lemon law lawyer will consult with you and guide you through the process of substantiating your claim, collecting the proper documentation, and bringing the auto manufacturer to justice. 

Most people don’t realize that Connecticut was the first state in the nation to adopt lemon law rules. That was back in 1982, and since then, every state in the nation has passed its own set of lemon laws. Connecticut was a leader then, and it still has some of the most robust lemon laws in the nation. Still, many CT residents don’t fully understand the lemon law and how it might apply to them. Here’s an overview.

A new car lemon is essentially a defective vehicle. However, CT lemon law doesn’t cover every single defect. It only covers defects that affect the use, value, or safety of the vehicle. So, for example, if the seat’s fabric were defective, the car wouldn’t be considered a lemon. On the other hand, if the vehicle had faulty brakes, that defect would be covered under the lemon law.

Connecticut’s lemon law rules also outline a timeframe during which a vehicle is covered. The defects have to show up within the first two years of the day you (or the original owner) took receipt of the vehicle, or the first 24,000 miles on the odometer – whichever comes first.

Just because a vehicle has a defect doesn’t automatically make it a lemon. What makes a car a lemon is when the defect can’t be or hasn’t been repaired. While CT lemon law says that a “reasonable” number of repair attempts must be made, which is defined as four repair attempts. This means that, if you’ve taken the vehicle in for service four times and the problem isn’t fixed, and if the problem is one that affects the use, value, or safety of the vehicle, you likely have a lemon on your hands.

There are a couple of other ways to meet the criteria for Connecticut lemon laws. For example, even if you haven’t taken your vehicle in four times for repair, it can still be considered a lemon if it’s been out of service for a cumulative total of 30 days for a number of unrelated problems. Likewise, if the defect is one that might cause serious injury or death if you drive the car, you have lemon law rights after two or more repair attempts during the first year you own the car.

Dealing with lemon law issues can be daunting for consumers, most of whom have never had to navigate the legal maze involved with a lemon buyback. That’s why it’s in your best interest to get lemon law advice from at attorney who specializes in lemon law. The attorneys at LemonJustice.com are standing by, ready to assist you. Call today for a free case evaluation.

Thanks to our friends at Bisnar Chase for this important information about personal injury claims.

A number of catastrophic injury victims sign medical liens every year. Many of these victims are not aware of the consequences a lien can have on their settlement. Signing a medical lien could be a fatal mistake that can wreck your personal injury claim.

Medical Liens Can Hurt Your Personal Injury Settlement

When you sign a medical lien, you are obligating your personal injury attorney to pay your expenses once the case is settled. Your medical bills will be paid from your settlement. In some cases your medical bills could be greater than your settlement value. In this case you will still be obligated to pay the lien once your case has been settled, even if you don’t receive a settlement at all.

Over the years I have noticed that clients walk away with more money in their pockets if they don’t sign a medical lien. A lien offers no oversight as to the appropriateness of services. Doctors treating patients could charge a larger fee, over-treat patients, or both.

Don’t Ignore Your Personal Injuries

Weather you are treating on a lien or using heath insurance, it is important to continue treatment if you have an injury. This could be critical for you and your family to make a full recovery. It is also important to ensure your injuries do not get worse.

Free Book To California Personal Injury Victims

Accident victims may learn more about liens by requesting, “The Seven Fatal Mistakes That Can Wreck Your California Personal Injury Claim.” This book is valued at $14.99 but is offered at no cost to California personal injury victims. It contains information that every accident victim should have.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured from a California car accident please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. California accident victims may contact BISNAR | CHASE Personal Injury Lawyers for a free, no obligation consultation. We have helped more than 6,000 victims receive hundreds of millions of dollars and would like to do the same for you.