what kind of attorney do i need to sue a semi truck dealer

by Orlo Kulas 8 min read

How do I sue a trucking company for negligence?

Jan 13, 2020 · You need an attorney who knows the trucking industry and understands how to sue a trucking company to achieve a successful outcome. Our decades of legal experience have focused on the specifics of state and federal trucking regulations, and we will fight for the full value of your claim.

Can I sue a used vehicle dealer?

To successfully sue a used car dealer, you must be able to prove that: you suffered a financial loss (this is not hard if you had to pay for repairs), and. the dealer is legally responsible for your damages. This second point is often harder to prove. Almost surely, the used car dealer will testify that he or she had no way of knowing how long ...

Who is the best lawyer for truckers in Atlanta?

Mar 02, 2017 · Contact. 877-772-0643. website. Phone. Contact. Website. Answered on Mar 07th, 2017 at 10:32 AM. A consumer lawyer - generally you will have to retain a lawyer to review your warranty and see WHY they claim you had to pay money. MOst warranties are LIMITED and they only apply to what you contracted for.

How can we help you get trucker legal help?

Nov 15, 2021 · If your dealership outright lies to you, you may be able to sue for common law fraud. Although state law varies, you generally need to establish the following: The dealer made a false representation of a past or present material fact. The dealer knew their representation was false or was ignorant of its truth.

Can I sue a dealership for not giving me a title in Texas?

You shouldn't wait if a dealer isn't giving you the title. Our attorneys regularly represent people who can't get the dealership to just give them the title like they were supposed to. It's an illegal practice and an unfair one, and most states have laws that give you a right to sue over unfair business practices.Nov 3, 2021

Does Florida lemon law apply to commercial vehicles?

What Vehicles Are Covered Under Florida's Lemon Law? The lemon law applies to: Cars and trucks purchased or leased for the transportation of people or property. The vehicles should be used for personal or household use and not resale.

What is the lemon law in Texas?

The Texas Lemon Law is a state law administered by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles that helps consumers who buy or lease new motor vehicles and have repeated problems getting their vehicles properly repaired under the manufacturer's original warranty.

How do I sue a dealer in Florida?

The Consumer Services Division Hotline is 1-800-HELPFLA (1-800-435-7352). All other complaints against license Florida dealers should be filed with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles at the regional office responsible for the dealership.

Does Florida have a 30 day Lemon Law?

The consumer may be eligible for a purchase price refund or a replacement vehicle if the vehicle is out of service for repair of one or more nonconformities for a cumulative total of 30 or more days.

How long does the Lemon Law last in Florida?

24 monthsThe law defines the “lemon law rights period” as 24 months following the vehicle's original delivery to the consumer. The lemon law covers “nonconformities,” defined as any specific defect or condition or combination thereof that substantially impairs the use, market value or safety of the vehicle.

What 3 things could happen if you win your case when filing a Texas Lemon Law complaint?

The judge will decide one of three things: the complaint should be dismissed; the vehicle has a defect that the manufacturer must repair; the vehicle qualifies as a lemon and should be repurchased or replaced.

Can a dealership take a car back after you signed the contract in Texas?

In short, yes, a dealer can back out of a contract but only during specific time frames and scenarios. Also, their opportunity to do so is brief, and you're protected by laws should they attempt to take advantage of you. When you finance through a dealer, they look for a bank or lender to buy your car loan.Feb 7, 2022

How long do you have to return a vehicle after purchase in Texas?

After the Sale Under Texas Law, you do not have 3 days to cancel the purchase like you may with some transactions the dealer is required to register and title the vehicle in your name within 30 days, regardless of if you owe money on the vehicle to the dealer or another financier.

What can you do if you get scammed by a car dealership?

It may seem obvious, but the first thing you should do if you believe you have been misled by a dealership is to contact the dealer. In fact, many states mandate that you notify the dealer first and provide it with an opportunity to correct the situation.Sep 3, 2019

How does lemon law work in Florida?

Under Florida Lemon Law, vehicles are eligible if they suffer from defects that haven't been repaired “within a reasonable number of attempts” by the car dealership. After these attempts, consumers must send a final opportunity for the manufacturer to repair the defect if they wish to take action under the Lemon Law.Jun 14, 2021

How do I file a complaint with the Florida Attorney General?

Citizens with general inquiries, or who want to file a consumer complaint, should contact the Office of Citizens Services by calling (866) 966-7226, (850) 414-3990 or filing out an online form here.

Can I Sue for Being Hit by a Semi-Truck? Do I Sue the Driver or the Trucking Company?

If you have been injured in a truck accident due to the negligence of another party, you may be able to sue for damages. As mentioned, you may be a...

Suing Both the Driver and their Company

Suing both the driver and the trucking company may be necessary where there is a mix of liability between both the driver and the trucking company....

How to Sue a Trucking Company: Step-By-Step Preparation

Step 1 — Collect info: Note all relevant contact information from the driver of the other vehicle or vehicles involved in the accident, including t...

Suing a Truck Company After You’ve Been in a Truck Accident

When you or a loved one has been the victim of a trucking accident, seeking compensation for your suffering and expenses differs from that of a reg...

How to sue a car dealer?

To successfully sue a used car dealer, you must be able to prove that: 1 you suffered a financial loss (this is not hard if you had to pay for repairs), and 2 the dealer is legally responsible for your damages.

What happens if a car breaks after you take it out of the lot?

Argue fraud. If the car broke almost immediately after you took it out of the used car lot, you can file in small claims court and argue that you were defrauded.

What is implied warranty?

There are two types of implied warranties. One type–the implied warranty of fitness–means that the vehicle is warranted to work for a particular purpose (say, consistency). The more common implied warranty is for merchantability.

What is the job of a D.A.?

In theory, the D.A.'s only job is to bring a criminal action, which will be of no direct aid in getting your money back, but in practice, negotiations can often result in restitution. In plain words, this means that the car dealer may be told, "Look, you're right on the edge of the law here (or maybe over the edge).

What happens if you stop making payments?

Your credit rating will suffer. If you stop making payments, it will appear as a default on your credit report and will affect your credit score significantly, so think very carefully before choosing this course of action. How to find signs of fraud.

Do used car dealers have a good reputation?

Unlike new vehicle dealers, who are usually somewhat dependent upon their reputation in the community for honesty, a fair percentage of used vehicle dealers don't have a good reputation to start with and survive by becoming experts at self-protection. The principal self-protection device employed by used vehicle dealers is ...

Can you sue a used car dealer?

To successfully sue a used car dealer, you must be able to prove that: you suffered a financial loss (this is not hard if you had to pay for repairs), and. the dealer is legally responsible for your damages. This second point is often harder to prove. Almost surely, the used car dealer will testify that he or she had no way ...

What are the remedies for a car accident victim?

Some possible remedies that the victim may be entitled to collect on include: Surrendering the vehicle and getting a full refund of all payments made toward the purchase. Canceling any outstanding loan balances or obligations. Having court costs and attorney fees reimbursed.

What is lemon law?

While “ lemon laws ” cover the sale of defective vehicles, car dealer fraud laws are meant to protect consumers looking to purchase a car, truck, van, or motorcycle.

What are the two types of misrepresentations?

There are two basics types of auto dealer misrepresentations: omissions of fact and blatant misrepresentations. Most lawsuits will be filed under a theory of “ bait and switch " advertising practices, deceptive inflation of vehicle prices, and failure to disclose information about a vehicle.

Can you sue an auto dealer for fraud?

If you believe you have been the victim of auto dealer fraud by way of misrepresentation, you may very well be able to file a lawsuit. Some states will require you to contact the dealer first to give them the opportunity to correct the matter or to speak with a state consumer protection agency.

Shop Takes Too Long to Repair Truck

QUESTION: I’m an American trucker. About a month ago, I blew the head gasket on my rig. I took it to a facility in Phoenix City, Alabama and was told that it would take 7 to 10 days to repair.

Does Owner Operator Have Any Legal Recourse?

QUESTION: I live in Florida. I was on my way and my truck broke down in Nebraska… it ate the cams.

Problem With Truck Financing

QUESTION: I bought a 1999 Kenworth from a guy that I worked for. I paid $10,000 down and he financed the rest. I was down to owing him $5600 and fell on hard times, so I asked the guy I just leased to if he would lend me the money to pay off the loan and take it back out of my settlement.

Owner-Operator Being Bullied

QUESTION: My former friend took an existing contract from buying a rig from another owner operator, whited out that person’s name and VIN and put my name and the VIN and his name as the lessor and he also had the asking price of 14,000 in my copy. He has $60,000 on his copy of the contract.

Liability For Poor Repair Work

QUESTION: Is a shop responsible for not fixing my reefer trouble properly and for the load to be transferred to a cold storage. The load was put into cold storage 2 times in 3 days and another shop in another state, replaced the compressor and still has problems after 3 people in 3 states.

Is Owner-Operator Responsible For Unauthorized Repairs?

QUESTION: I had a truck break down due to a failed DPF filter and it was under warranty.

Legal Problem With Seller of Truck – Trucker Legal Help

QUESTION: I have a rig which when I purchased it, the seller who has his own repair shop, certified it and gave me a DOT inspection on it.

What happens if a mechanic fails to follow service of process?

If they fail to follow service of process or don’t show up to court, the judge may rule the lien invalid. If a lien is judged invalid, you have the right to sue the mechanic’s shop for compensation. This may be in the form of money or simply as the return of the vehicle on which they placed the lien.

What happens if a mechanic refuses to honor a warranty?

On the other hand, if a mechanic agrees to warranty their services, but later refuses to honor the warranty, you have rights there, too. You can sue them for compensation or to force them to honor the warranty (which is considered a legal contract).

How long does it take to get a lien foreclosed on?

Foreclosure of Lien – After you have been notified, the mechanic must file a lawsuit in the civil court within 90 days. This allows them the opportunity to seek court approval to foreclose (finalize) the lien. If they fail to follow service of process or don’t show up to court, the judge may rule the lien invalid.

What is negligent mechanic?

A mechanic who promises to finish within a month, yet finishes in month three, is considered negligent for breach of contract. Lastly, you must have experienced some kind of damages or loss as a result of being without your vehicle. For example, if you lose your job due to lack of transportation, you may have a case.

How long does a mechanic have to notify you of a lien?

Preliminary Notice – The mechanic must notify you of their intent to place a lien on your vehicle within no more than 20 days of the provided service. It may only include services, parts, and associated fees that were incurred within this 20-day time period (not before or after).

What happens when an oil change is easy?

An easy oil change quickly results in disaster after an inexperienced mechanic punctures the toil canister, rendering it completely useless. Or, maybe a client receives a bill with a list of services a mile long – including some they never wanted or expected.

Can a mechanic place a lien on a contractor?

Secondly, not every mechanic can place a legal lien. Unlicensed contractors, for example (amateur mechanics) cannot place a lien for amounts larger than $500; there is simply no legal jurisdiction for this to be permitted. They can, however, still sue you in the civil court without a lien. A lien is also not necessarily valid just ...

What are punitive damages in vehicle liability?

Punitive damages are intended to punish vehicle manufacturers and encourage them to fix inherent defects in vehicle designs that have resulted in injury.

What is a motor vehicle defect?

Motor vehicle defect cases include claims involving not only passenger automobiles, but also motorcycles, trucks, and vans. Unlike an ordinary personal injury claim for negligence after a motor vehicle accident, in order to establish a vehicle manufacturer or seller's liability for a car defect, you do not need to show that they were careless.

What is a defect in a car?

The defect caused an injury while the vehicle was being used in a way that it was intended to be used. For example, you may not be able to recover if a sports sedan were used to cross a stream. The vehicle had not been substantially changed from the condition in which it was originally sold.

Can a seller defend against a strict liability claim?

The vehicle manufacturer and/or the seller may have a defense to your strict liability claims, particularly if you have owned the vehicle for some time, if it can be shown that you knew about the defect but continued to use the vehicle anyway. This is usually established either through the vehicle's condition (which the manufacturer's or seller's insurance company will be able to examine if you bring a claim) or from your own description of your use of the vehicle. In some states, a manufacturer or seller may also be able to defend against your motor vehicle defect claim under the theory that your contributory or comparative negligence was the cause of, or a factor in, your injuries.

Can you make a strict liability claim for a motor vehicle?

Regardless of what steps a manufacturer or dealer says it takes in designing, assembling, or handling a motor vehicle, you can make a strict liability claim based on a motor vehicle defect -- without making any showing as to carelessness -- if all three of the following conditions exist:

Can a manufacturer defend against a car defect?

In some states, a manufacturer or seller may also be able to defend against your motor vehicle defect claim under the theory that your contributory or comparative negligence was the cause of, or a factor in, your injuries. Thank you for subscribing!

What kind of services do lawyers provide?

Lawyers can provide a wide range of services to their clients. Some lawyers handle many different types of cases. Some lawyers specialize in one or two types, such as family and divorce law.

Why do you need a lawyer for a contract?

Even in transactional civil matters, such as drafting a contract, a lawyer can be very helpful. A lawyer can make sure contracts are drafted correctly and avoid problems at a later date. A real estate purchase, business purchase, and/or creation of a trademark or copyright will most likely involve a lawyer.

What is family law?

Family law is law that involves family matters. These matters can include marriage, divorce, adoption, child support, custody and establishing parentage. In most cases, marriages do not require a lawyer but a prenuptial agreement should be reviewed by a lawyer.

What is a lawyer?

A lawyer is an individual who is licensed to practice law in a state. Lawyers are also known as attorneys or an attorney at law. Some lawyers are licensed in multiple states. Some lawyers are admitted to practice at the Federal level as well.

Why is it important to have a family lawyer?

It is important in divorce cases for an individual to have a family lawyer representing them to ensure their rights are protected.

What is personal injury?

In a personal injury suit, an individual is injured, mentally and/or physically, because of an accident, defective product, or an act or failure to act by another. A court may award a plaintiff in a personal injury suit monetary damages for their injury. Civil law cases can be complex.

What is civil matter?

Civil matters include contract disputes between businesses, real estate, and personal transactions. Unlike criminal cases, there is no determination of guilt or innocence. Usually, the parties may only recover monetary damages, including punitive damages in some cases.

What to do if warranty denies claim?

For example, if the warranty or service plan denies your claim because you didn’t properly maintain the vehicle, you can provide copies of documents such as timely oil changes and routine maintenance. Keep in mind that you can also propose a compromise, such as splitting the cost of the repair.

What is lemon law?

Sometimes you get stuck with a new car that continues to have problems, despite many attempts to repair it. Many states offer special protections called “lemon laws” for consumers dealing with new vehicles with persistent problems. The requirements to prove a lemon law case vary by state so you’ll want to consult with a local consumer law attorney, or contact your state's attorney general's consumer division, for more information.

What is the automotive consumer action program?

Many states have programs designed to help consumers with automotive issues. In Ohio, for example, the Automotive Consumer Action Program provides mediation assistance for dealer disputes, and in California, the Consumer Mediation Services Program helps new car owners resolve dealer disputes at no cost.

What happens if you can't resolve a car warranty?

Vehicle warranty. When you buy a car (especially a new car), the dealer or manufacturer promises to repair any defects within a specified period. This pledge is a “warranty” that is a part of the purchase price. For instance, a warranty might cover repairs or defects ...

What is a warranty pledge?

This pledge is a “warranty” that is a part of the purchase price. For instance, a warranty might cover repairs or defects for the first three years or 36,000 miles. Dealers typically offer warranties on new cars; however, some also offer them on newer, reconditioned used cars (often referred to as "certified used" cars).

Why is it important to create a document trail?

Because it’s important to create a document trail, your request should be in writing, too. Once you know the reason for the claim denial, you might be able to dispute it by providing supporting documentation such as receipts and repair records .

What is extended warranty?

A service contract, or "extended warranty," is separate, additional coverage that you elect to purchase. Unlike the vehicle warranty, it doesn’t automatically come with the car—you must pay for it. It’s common to finance the coverage (roll it into your loan) when you buy the car, but it’s possible to purchase it from another company ...