WHAT REMEDIES CAN YOU GET IF YOU PURSUE A LEMON LAW CLAIM?

Lemon law claims can be settled before litigation, or you can file a lawsuit. The remedies are generally the same for both: the basic remedy is a repurchase of your vehicle, minus a mileage offset based on your mileage at the first repair attempts, along with your attorney's fees and costs. You can also pursue a civil penalty of up to two times your damages in a lemon law claim. There are also "cash & keep" settlements where the manufacturer gives the consumer and his/her attorney a sum of money to cover both damages and fees, and the consumer keeps the car. The consumer can then use his/her portion as a downpayment on a new vehicle. Sometimes, not always, "cash & keep" is the best way to settle a case before litigation, or if the case has some weaknesses.