what kind of attorney do i need for car repairs

by Breanna Schaefer 6 min read

You need to talk to an attorney that deals with contract law. If the repair came with a warranty, you need someone to examine it and figure out whether the exclusion is legitimate. 1 found this answer helpful

Full Answer

Do I need a lawyer after a car?

Feb 23, 2021 · What Should I Do Regarding a Defective Car Repair? One of the top consumer complaints is often car repair fraud. If an individual is considering filing a defective car repair lawsuit, a vehicle attorney can help. It may be possible to recover damages for faulty repairs.

What car repairs are worth it?

Faulty repairs; and/or; Medical expenses. Do I Need an Attorney for Help with Automobile Mechanic Liability Issues? As is evident from the above discussion, when you leave your car at a repair shop, the mechanic working on your vehicle can be held liable for actions that fall below a certain level of care.

How can a lawyer help after a car accident?

Oct 14, 2013 · What type of attorney do I need to sue an auto repair shop? The repair shop was paid to rebuild my transmission in March, 2013 and in August 2013, my transmission went out. I have had two different repair shops run diagnosis on my car and found that it was not repaired.

Who should pay for car repairs?

Jan 25, 2018 · 2 attorney answers. I agree with Attorney Paz. As long as you have some sort of written record putting the causation on the original repair shop from the new repair shop, you probably have a case. You should look for an aggressive civil litigator who has …

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What do you do when a mechanic rips you off?

Here's what to say and to expect:Describe the problem fully. Provide as much information as possible. ... Don't offer a diagnosis. Avoid saying what you think is causing the problem. ... Request a test drive. If the problem occurs only when the car is moving, ask the mechanic to accompany you on a test drive.Ask for evidence.May 9, 2017

Are mechanics liable for damages from repairs?

If a mechanic is negligent while performing repairs to an automobile, he or she could be held liable for damages, and could also face criminal charges for deceptive or unfair practices.Dec 29, 2018

How do you negotiate car repairs?

5 Steps to Negotiate a Better Price for Car RepairsUnderstand the issue. There's a difference between feeling like the mechanic's estimate is too high, and knowing so. ... Leverage the facts. ... Get quotes from the competition. ... Offer to provide the parts yourself. ... Get car repair financing.Mar 6, 2020

How do I file a complaint against an auto repair in NY?

Auto Repair ComplaintAgency: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.Division: Vehicle Safety Licensing Complaints.Phone Number: (518) 474-8943.Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:15 AM - 4:15 PM.Staff is available through the automated phone system during business hours.

What should be given to a customer before doing a repair?

No. The written estimate must contain detailed costs for parts and labor for the repairs to be performed, but the customer's signature is not a requirement of the Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Act. A repair facility is not prohibited from asking its customers to sign the written estimate.

Do mechanics mess up your car on purpose?

Mechanics that intentionally sabotage their customers simply won't last, and eventually go out of business. The key to successful mechanics are loyal customers. Only an idiot would keep going back to the same mechanic to fix one unrelated problem after another.

What should you not say to a mechanic?

I recommend vehicle owners shouldn't say to their mechanics:'Just do what it needs. ' This can leave a vehicle owner open for a very expensive repair. ... 'I don't know anything about cars. ' While many people may feel this way, I never believe it.Apr 7, 2016

What can I do if my car is too expensive to fix?

You have several options to get rid of your vehicle, including:Sell it to the repair shop, as they can use it for parts.Sell the vehicle online.Get scrap money for it.Sell to an enthusiast who restores vehicles as a passion project or to a younger kid as a fixer-upper.Oct 29, 2021

How do you tell if a mechanic is ripping you off?

8 Ways Your Mechanic Is Ripping You OffTelling you your brake rotors need to be replaced, when they don't. ... Changing the spark plugs on a 50,000 mile car. ... Emotionally blackmailing you into a repair. ... Recommending miracle cure additives. ... Sucking you in the door with free tire rotation or winter inspection.More items...•Aug 25, 2015

Who regulates car dealers in NY?

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) regulates all repair shops, inspection stations, dealers, vehicle dismantlers and other related businesses in NY State.

Can a garage do work without permission?

The garage should contact you before doing any work over and above that which you had already agreed. If you authorise a garage to carry out only specific work, and to do no other work without further permission, then the garage is not entitled to claim payment for any extra work done.Oct 2, 2015

Why is it important to clearly communicate vehicle issues?

Clear communication ensures that your mechanic understands exactly what symptoms your vehicle is exhibiting.Jul 14, 2016

When Is The Mechanic Liable For Damages Resulting from Faulty Service?

A mechanic is liable for damages caused by his or her negligence. For example, suppose your mechanic rotates your tires, but fails to properly reat...

What About The Contents of My Car?

Always contact law enforcement if items are stolen from your vehicle. Law enforcement can investigate the theft—and may help you identify the culpr...

What If My Car Is Stolen from The Repair Shop?

While it has your car, the mechanic shop must take reasonable care to protect it. If the mechanic leaves your keys in your unlocked car, he or she...

Should I Contact A Lawyer?

Claims involving auto mechanics can involve a wide variety of legal issues— including bailments, garage keepers laws, negligence, and products liab...

Can You Sue a Mechanic for Misdiagnosis?

A mechanic misdiagnosis, also known as a “faulty diagnosis” or simply as a “mistaken repair”, occurs when a mechanic does not identify the true problem.

What Does Mechanic Liability Insurance Pay For?

Mechanic liability insurance is a specific type of insurance policy that is meant to protect mechanics and auto repair shops from liabilities that may arise as a result of unexpected accidents like property damage to a vehicle, faulty repairs, or if a customer waiting to pick up their car gets injured in the repair shop.

Do I Need an Attorney for Help with Automobile Mechanic Liability Issues?

As is evident from the above discussion, when you leave your car at a repair shop, the mechanic working on your vehicle can be held liable for actions that fall below a certain level of care.

Steven Michael Fahlgren

The repair shop was required to perform its work to industry standards. If you have an expert to show that it did not, then you should have a claim under Florida's Motor Vehicle Repair Act.

Dale Christopher Carson

You need to talk to an attorney that deals with contract law. If the repair came with a warranty, you need someone to examine it and figure out whether the exclusion is legitimate.

Scott Richard Kaufman

I do not blame them for this tactic, although, you should not be stuck with a bum car. Arguably, you can pay to get it fixed and sue them for a substantial amount of that money if not all, if they refuse to pay, especially if they never did what they were supposed to do at the start.

2 attorney answers

I agree with Attorney Paz. As long as you have some sort of written record putting the causation on the original repair shop from the new repair shop, you probably have a case. You should look for an aggressive civil litigator who has experience with consumer law.

Max L Rosenberg

I agree with Attorney Paz. As long as you have some sort of written record putting the causation on the original repair shop from the new repair shop, you probably have a case. You should look for an aggressive civil litigator who has experience with consumer law.

What is a lien on a car?

A lien is a legal claim for property that has been improved or otherwise serviced. The mechanic may keep and ultimately sell your car if you do not pay the bill on time. This applies even if your car is an $80,000 luxury vehicle that received a $35 oil change.

What is UDAP law?

All states have some kind of law addressing consumer protection against unfair and deceptive acts and practices (sometimes referred to as UDAP). They can vary from one state to the next. These laws address a wide variety of practices, including things like: No predatory lending and automobile sales.

Know Auto Repair Laws

You’ve probably heard about the Lemon Law and the Right to Repair Act but how do these terms relate to you? Depending on which state you are in, some legislation protects your rights as a customer of car repair shops. The table below is not exhaustive but here are some of the most common laws:

Five Reasons You Can Sue a Mechanic

Taking your car to the repair shop is a cumbersome process in itself. Aside from the car, there are other things you need to worry about: the cost of the repair, the delays it will cause, and whether the mechanic can salvage the car. There are mechanics out there who are professional and honest in their work.

Tips for Suing a Car Repair Shop in Small Claims Court

If you find that you have a lawsuit in your hands and you have grounds to sue a car repair shop, you may do so in small claims court. Suing in small claims court comes with fewer costs because of inexpensive filing fees, no need for lawyers, and faster processes. Here are some of our tips for suing a mechanic in small claims court:

Steps to Suing a Car Repair Shop

So you’ve decided to sue a mechanic shop but you’re not sure where to start. The small claims hearing is scheduled 30-70 days after the lawsuit is filed. Below are the steps you have to go through when suing a car repair shop in small claims court:

How to Sue a Mechanic with DoNotPay

Suing anyone isn’t always a straightforward process. DoNotPay simplifies the process for you. All you have to do is access the app via any web browser. After that, follow these steps to sue a mechanic:

DoNotPay Helps You Sue Any Company

Interested in learning more? Here are some big-name companies DoNotPay users have sued with the Sue Now product:

Collect Available Evidence

Gather all the relevant evidence, pronto. In this situation, this means getting your used parts (it's a good idea to do this any time you have major work done). If the garage will not give them to you, ask again by letter, keeping a copy for your file.

Have Your Car Checked by an Expert

Before you drive many miles after the disputed work is done, have your car checked by an experienced mechanic. Sometimes it is possible to get a free estimate from a repair shop.

Try to Settle

By now you should have a pretty good idea what the first garage did wrong. Call and ask them to redo the job or refund part or all of your money. Often the repair shop will agree to do additional work to avoid a hassle. If they agree to take the car back, insist on a written agreement detailing what they will do and how long it will take.

Write a Demand Letter

If the garage isn't cooperative, it's time to write a formal demand letter. Your letter should be short, polite, and written with an eye to a judge reading it.

File Your Court Papers

If you still get no satisfactory response from the garage, file your papers at the small claims court clerk's office in the county where the garage is located.

Prepare Your Case

If you want the judge to understand your case, you must understand it yourself. Sounds simple, doesn't it? It did to me too, until I got involved with a case involving a botched car repair. All I knew was that after I paid to have the engine fixed, the car shouldn't belch black smoke and make a disgusting noise.

Appearing in Court

When you show up in court, be sure that you are well organized. Bring all the letters you have written or received about your car problem, any written warranty, photographs if they are helpful, and your used parts if they aid in making your case.

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