When you buy a car, you expect your hard-earned money to give you a reliable vehicle, especially if you buy a car new. Sadly, some car purchasers get a lemon car instead. The term applies to a car saddled with a design or manufacturing defect that makes it vulnerable to breakdowns or other annoying issues.

If you believe you might have a lemon on your hands, you should know about the definitions, laws, and claims associated with these problematic vehicles, including your legal options for seeking financial compensation. Check out the following three key points about lemon laws.

Lemon Laws Protect Car Buyers

Every state in the U.S. has lemon laws that apply to new car purchases. However, only six of those states also extend their lemon laws to used cars. Lemon laws permit owners of obviously defective vehicles to request either a replacement vehicle or a refund from the seller.

A car must meet some commonly accepted conditions before buyers and sellers can consider it a lemon. A lemon must have one serious flaw that impacts its safety, drivability, or value. Alternatively, a car that has stayed in the repair shop for an extensive period due to multiple flaws and repair efforts may qualify as a lemon.

Sellers May Push Back Against Lemon Law Claims

Before you can file a lemon law claim, you must report the car's issues to the dealer and give the dealer a reasonable chance to fix those issues. If the dealer fails, you can then give the dealer written notice that the car qualifies as lemon under your state's lemon laws, including all relevant details about the car's repair history.

At this stage, the dealer may let you choose between a refund and a replacement for the vehicle. However, dealers sometimes insist on offering other, less satisfactory compensation, such as a discounted rate on a different vehicle. If you don't agree with the terms, you may need to present your case in an arbitration hearing.

An Attorney Can Help You Fight for Compensation

Sometimes even arbitration can fail to resolve a lemon claim adequately. You may want to hedge your bets from the beginning by consulting a lemon car lawyer. An experienced car defect lawyer can help you prepare and file a lawsuit against the dealer, then make your case in court as eloquently as possible.

You'll find it much easier and less stressful to proceed with a lemon law claim when you have the aid of an experienced attorney who specializes in such cases. Contact a local lemon lawyer to schedule an initial consultation and discuss your options.