How Defective Vehicles Can Increase Risks and What to Do

And while car breakdowns and automotive issues are not all that uncommon, the most alarming problems can occur when a driver experiences something sudden and unexpected, such as braking failure, the sudden shut off of the vehicle engine, or even the misfiring of airbags. If this is what you’ve encountered with a newly purchased vehicle, you can seek a lemon law attorney in California. These issues not only can put the driver in danger, but can also be quite detrimental to the well-being of anyone on board such a defective vehicle.

There are numerous kinds of defects that a car can have, and if you have recently purchased a vehicle for a great sum of money only to find that it possesses one such defect, then it might finally be time to contact a legal professional. Before we touch on the types of defects that are relevant to this particular aspect of the law, let’s quickly go over how a “lemon” could cause an accident itself.

The Risks of a Faulty Vehicle

These are not overly hypothetical examples either, as the aforementioned events have occurred in automobile-related accidents before, and of course, the consequences were nothing short of devastating. A recent study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that a large number of automotive accidents annually are caused by these kinds of mechanical problems.

Defective acceleration, malfunctions in the electrical system, and transmission issues are not simply an unfortunate occurrence — they can be deadly. Simply look out for warning signs like unresponsive or delayed braking, as these are often caused by something much more troublesome.

Know Your Rights: Lemon Law

You may assume that your automaker will fix whatever is wrong with your car if it poses a safety concern. Sometimes they will fix things with recalls. However, most recalls don’t happen right away, and some vehicles are never even recalled. So how safe is your lemon? Even getting the actual work done can be problematic. Sometimes, repairs are backlogged, parts aren’t available, or the company refuses to help. That’s where lemon law and a lemon law lawyer come in.

If your defective car’s manufacturer can’t or won’t make it roadworthy again or simply refuses to try, you still have rights. California’s lemon law is here to protect consumers who are driving lemons by requiring manufacturers to replace the vehicle or refund the money spent on it. No one goes around explaining on the radio. Thank goodness you can hire a lemon law lawyer in California to help you navigate your rights.

What to Do If Your Defective Car Puts You at Risk

If your ride has totally ruined the beauty of driving safely for you, don’t wait for an accident before you take some steps to preserve yourself:

• Keep Good Records: Make sure you have all paperwork from any repairs or attempts to repair it at the dealership or manufacturing plant. You won’t get far without it.
• Report the Issue: File a complaint with the NHTSA to officially document the vehicle defect. Automakers can be prompted to recall defective cars when enough consumers come forward.
• Stop Driving if Needed: If the defect presents a danger to drivers and passengers, stop driving and don’t take unnecessary risks. Contact your car dealer or manufacturer to discuss the situation.
• Seek Legal Help: If your car manufacturer won’t fix or replace your car, you’ll get relief under the California lemon law.

When to Contact a Lemon Law Lawyer

When you are stuck with a lemon vehicle, you will have to repeatedly repair it and spend a significant amount of money in the process. In that situation, if your manufacturer fails to resolve the issue, it’s time to call a reputed California lemon lawyer to protect your rights and seek the compensation you deserve.