Wisconsin Lemon Law Blog

The Wisconsin used car Buyer’s Guide does not require the Wisconsin used car dealership to:

• Mark whether the Wisconsin used car has ever been in an accident. In some cases, there would be no way a Wisconsin used car dealership could detect repaired damage based on the inspection and test drive
• A Wisconsin used car dealership is required to tell you about any existing accident damage, or any repaired damage to the Wisconsin used car frame, strut tower, floor pan, or structural portion of the unibody
• The Wisconsin used car dealership is only obliged to disclose items detected during the test drive, Wisconsin used car inspection, and inspection of Wisconsin used car records at the Wisconsin used car dealership
• If you ask Wisconsin used car dealerships if the Wisconsin used car had ever been in an accident, they are not required to do additional research to find out and tell you, but they should tell you if there are signs that the Wisconsin used car was in a bad accident or one that affects how it works currently

Wisconsin’s Motor Vehicle Purchase Contract is binding

Since the Wisconsin Motor Vehicle Purchase Contract is binding on you, avoid any surprises by taking cognizance of the following:

• The Wisconsin used car Dealers will have you sign a Motor Vehicle Purchase Contract when you buy a used car in Wisconsin
• The Wisconsin Lemon Law requires a dealership to have you sign the contract while the deposit is accepted from you. Wisconsin’s Motor Vehicle Purchase Contract is binding once when you and the Wisconsin used car dealership have signed it
• You cannot cancel the Wisconsin Motor Vehicle Purchase Contract without paying a penalty
• There is no 3-day right to cancel a Wisconsin’s Motor Vehicle Purchase Contract signed at a dealership
• It is important to read and understand the entire contract before you sign. Do not sign Wisconsin’s Motor Vehicle Purchase Contract until you are sure you want to buy the Wisconsin used car

Get in writing the promises made by the Wisconsin’s dealership

Any promises a Wisconsin used car dealership makes to you regarding your vehicle or purchase should be written on the Motor Vehicle Purchase Contract. If you are buying a Wisconsin used car with the understanding that something will be fixed for you before or after you pick up the car, get it in writing. Spoken promises are very hard to prove or enforce.

If you have already landed a Wisconsin lemon used car you need a Wisconsin lemon law attorney on your side to help you get even with the fraudulent Wisconsin used car dealer. Since used car coverage under the Wisconsin lemon law appears to be ambiguous, you should consult Wisconsin lemon law attorneys immediately to check if you have grounds to sue the Wisconsin used car dealer. Getting back your money you spent on the used car in the state of Wisconsin might not be easy, but with the Wisconsin lemon law attorneys on your side you would stand a better chance of winning your case. Only a Wisconsin lemon law attorney is your best bet as he can choose the best recourse for your Wisconsin used lemon car. Wisconsin lemon law attorneys comprehend the Wisconsin lemon law system better and they can resolve problems far more efficiently.

Contact the Wisconsin lemon law attorneys at Krohn & Moss, Ltd. to stop your Wisconsin lemon car case from being dismissed, only because the car is used. If you like to find out whether you are entitled to money back, call 1-800-US LEMON® (800-875-3666) toll free to reach Krohn & Moss for your FREE initial consultation!

You are protected by Wisconsin’s Motor Vehicle Trade Practice laws only if you buy your used car from a licensed Wisconsin dealership. You do not have the same Wisconsin Lemon Law protection if you buy your Wisconsin used car from a private party.

A Wisconsin’s used car dealership is obliged to do the following exercises before he sells you a used car:

• Perform a used vehicle inspection and complete a window disclosure label before offering a vehicle for sale
• Test drive the vehicle, and check the exterior of the vehicle, underside, and under the hood for problems
• Review any paperwork he has for the vehicle, including the vehicle title
• Complete a window label called the Wisconsin Buyer’s Guide. The Buyer’s Guide tells you if the vehicle has any existing problems or important history you should know about
• List any problems he knows about the Wisconsin used car based on his inspection, test drive and paperwork check

A Wisconsin used car dealership does not have to take a vehicle apart or run diagnostic tests to find hidden problems nor does he have to tell you about future problems your vehicle may develop because of its current age or condition.

The Wisconsin used car’s condition should match the Wisconsin used car Buyer’s Guide window sticker:

You are entitled to receive a Wisconsin used car that is in the condition, the Wisconsin Buyer’s Guide window sticker describes. If the dealer fails to list in the Buyer’s Guide an existing problem detected during his test drive or inspection of the Wisconsin used car, you may have remedies under the Wisconsin used car lemon law.

How does the Wisconsin used car Buyer’s Guide help a potential used car buyer?

The Wisconsin used car Buyer’s Guide provides information about a used car offered for sale in Wisconsin for the following queries:

• How the Wisconsin used car was put to use: The label should show if the Wisconsin used car was privately driven, leased, used as a business vehicle, rented or used as a police vehicle. A Wisconsin used car’s history tells you as to how it was driven and taken care of
• Why are Title brands present on your title: Title brands are permanent notations that appear on any future title issued for a Wisconsin used car. Brands show if a Wisconsin used car was rebuilt salvage, flood damaged, or bought back by the manufacturer under the Wisconsin lemon law
• What are the model years and make of the Wisconsin used car: The Wisconsin used car Buyer’s Guide also lists, the vehicle identification number (VIN), engine size and transmission type of the Wisconsin used car
• What type of Warranty: Warranty information in the Wisconsin used car Buyer’s Guide for Wisconsin used car that is on sale shows the remaining manufacturer warranty, a dealer warranty or “as is”

A Wisconsin used car sold “as is” has no manufacturer or dealer warranty. The Wisconsin used car dealer has no obligation to pay for repairing problems which develop after the sale. However, even when selling a vehicle “as is,” the Wisconsin used car dealer must inspect the vehicle and disclose existing problems. The Wisconsin used car Buyer’s Guide must accurately reflect the condition the vehicle is in, at the time of sale.

• General and safety equipment status: In Wisconsin it is legal for a Wisconsin used car dealership to sell you a Wisconsin used car with safety or general problems. They can even sell you a Wisconsin used car that is not legal to operate on Wisconsin roadways. However, they must disclose these problems in the Wisconsin used car Buyer’s Guide

If you have already landed a Wisconsin lemon used car you need a Wisconsin lemon law attorney on your side to help you get even with the fraudulent Wisconsin used car dealer. Since used car coverage under the Wisconsin lemon law appears to be ambiguous, you should consult Wisconsin lemon law attorneys immediately to check if you have grounds to sue the Wisconsin used car dealer. Getting back your money you spent on the used car in the state of Wisconsin might not be easy, but with the Wisconsin lemon law attorneys on your side you would stand a better chance of winning your case. Only a Wisconsin lemon law attorney is your best bet as he can choose the best recourse for your Wisconsin used lemon car. Wisconsin lemon law attorneys comprehend the Wisconsin lemon law system better and they can resolve problems far more efficiently.

Contact the Wisconsin lemon law attorneys of at Krohn & Moss, Ltd. to stop your Wisconsin lemon car case from being dismissed, only because the car is used. If you like to find out whether you are entitled to money back, call 1-800-US LEMON® (800-875-3666) toll free to reach Krohn & Moss for your FREE initial consultation!

This is a brief discussion of some of the frequently asked questions as to how the Wisconsin lemon law works. If you live in Wisconsin and bought yourself a new car from a Wisconsin car dealership and you are not happy about the performance of the buy, it is time you met Wisconsin lemon law attorneys. Check these frequently asked questions about the Wisconsin lemon law if you suspect that your new or leased car is a lemon.

A lemon is a defective car that is found to have numerous or severe defects not readily apparent before its purchase. Any vehicle with these issues can be termed a ‘lemon,’ and, any product which has major flaws that render it unfit for its purpose can be described as a ‘lemon’.

Is there a time frame within which I should file my claim under the Wisconsin lemon law?

According to the Wisconsin lemon law, a time frame within which you should file your claim is Not specified.

However, repair attempts/days out of service must occur before the earlier of

• Expiration of the warranty
• One year following first delivery to the consumer

Which cars are covered by the Wisconsin lemon law?

The Wisconsin lemon law covers any motor driven vehicle that

• Is required to be registered in Wisconsin
• Is exempt from registration as a nonresident or foreign-registered vehicle
• A consumer purchases or accepts transfer of in Wisconsin
• Includes a demonstrator or executive vehicle

Which vehicles are NOT covered under the Wisconsin lemon law?

The Wisconsin lemon law excludes

• Mopeds
• Semi trailers
• Trailers designed for use in combination with a truck or truck tractor

Does the Wisconsin lemon law cover used vehicles?

• No, the Wisconsin lemon law DOES NOT cover used vehicles.

Which consumer is protected by the Wisconsin lemon law?

According to the Wisconsin lemon law, an eligible consumer for the Wisconsin lemon law protection is a:

• Purchaser of a new motor vehicle, if the vehicle was purchased from a dealer for purposes other than resale
• Person to whom the motor vehicle is transferred during the warranty period unless the vehicle is transferred for purposes of resale
• Person who may enforce the vehicle’s warranty
• Person who leases a motor vehicle under a written lease

What is the time period for first occurrence or notice, according to the Wisconsin lemon law?

According to the Wisconsin lemon law, time period for first occurrence of repairs or notice is:

• Earlier of expiration of the warranty
• One year following first delivery to the consumer

What is the time period for reasonable number of attempts to repair the vehicle?

According to the Wisconsin lemon law, the time period for reasonable number of attempts to repair the vehicle is

• Earlier of expiration of the warranty
• One year following the first delivery to the consumer

According to the Wisconsin lemon law, what is the presumption or definition of nonconformity?

According to the Wisconsin lemon law, the presumption or definition of nonconformity is as the following:

• The defect occurs during earlier of the warranty term or one year after first delivery to a consumer
• The same nonconformity is subject to repairs 4 or more times
• The vehicle is out of service for 30 or more days because of warranty nonconformity

According to the Wisconsin lemon law, who should I send the notice about the nonconformity?

According to the Wisconsin lemon law, the manufacturer must be given the notice

What choice will I have if my claim to the Wisconsin lemon law is honored?

According to the Wisconsin lemon law you may

• Receive a replacement
• Allow a repurchase

According to the Wisconsin lemon law, will I have to forego any money for the use of the vehicle?

According to the Wisconsin lemon law you will be charged a reasonable allowance if you choose a refund on your lemon vehicle.

According to the Wisconsin lemon law, what is the reasonable allowance if I choose a refund on your lemon vehicle?

According to the Wisconsin lemon law you will be charged a reasonable allowance by a formula as given below:

• The reasonable allowance on refund may not exceed miles before nonconformity first reported to dealer
• Miles before nonconformity first reported to dealer is divided by 100,000 and multiplied by purchase price or amount of lease obligation
• If it is a Motorcycle, it is divided by 20,000

The directives given above are not intended as legal advice. You may pursue your lemon law claim or any other dispute with your automobiles by being in communication with Wisconsin lemon law attorneys of Krohn & Moss Ltd., or Call 1-800 US LEMON® (800-875-3666) toll free, to reach Krohn & Moss for your FREE initial consultation.

Kia Motors is recalling more than 70,000 Optima mid size sedans to fix transmission problems. These cars were alleged to have rolled while they were still in park. The problem was pinned onto faulty shift cables. The recall actually affects 70,115 vehicles. However, there have been no reported injuries related to this defect, as said in a notice submitted by Kia to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration posted on Friday. But Kia has admitted that under “extraordinary circumstances” the cars could roll inadvertently.

The affected cars are from the 2006 to 2008 model years. These cars were actually built during the period from the 29th of September, 2005 to the 13th of June, 2007.

According to the reports filed by the Kia with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

• On some of the cars, a transmission shifter cable was installed incorrectly
• This incorrectly installed cable can become detached from the shifter
• If the cable comes off, the car would continue to remain in the gear used last
• Even if the driver puts the transmission in park, the gear used last alone is active
• If the driver leaves the vehicle without engaging the parking brake, there is a possibility that the vehicle can roll
• This kind of unwarranted rolling can create the risk of a crash

According to Kia, it is planing to start the recall this March. Kia will notify owners by mail. Kia would advise the drivers to always use the parking brake when shifting the transmission into park. This precaution should be followed religiously till their vehicles are examined by dealers and corrective measures are applied.

Dealers are advised by Kia to inspect the cable on the cars affected and reinstall it if necessary, free of cost to the consumer.

The above instructions are not meant as legal advice. You may persist your lemon law claim or any other issue with your automobiles by contacting Wisconsin lemon law attorneys of Krohn & Moss Ltd., or Call 1-800 US LEMON® (800-875-3666) toll free, to reach Krohn & Moss for your FREE initial consultation.

The sticker prices of cars to own do not tell the full story of how much they really cost. If you are going shopping for a car, do not just consider its sticker price or monthly lease rate. Measure ownership costs over time. Factor in the five-year cost of ownership.
Everybody likes to get a good deal on a car, since it is the major investment you make after your home. If you have set your heart on buying a car, especially a luxury model, do not give much attention to the pittance you can save on the spot. Cars you own tell a lot about your personality. To get a good deal out of a purchase, it is important to weigh the total cost of ownership over a period. A vehicle with a low sticker price may be very tempting but remember that it can prove to be more expensive than most of the expensive cars, in the long run.

Let us see how.

Compare the total cost of ownership for various cars by including the costs for 15,000 miles per year for:

• Fuel
• Insurance
• Maintenance and repair bills: Maintenance and repairs can start to add up, especially in the fourth or fifth year, after a warranty expires
• Depreciation: Depreciation is the biggest single item affecting cost of ownership
• Interest, taxes and fees

Lets us consider the Mercedes GLK and the Lexus RX 350.

The Mercedes GLK is the lowest-priced mid-size luxury crossover. It has an average market price of $33,709. The Lexus RX 350 sells for an average $35,542. Factor in the five-year cost of ownership for both vehicles and you will be surprised to know that the Lexus is a better bargain. The Lexus RX 350 will cost $52,381 to own it over five years and the Mercedes GLK, $53,361. You may consider buying the Infiniti EX 35. Infiniti EX 35 sells for an average of $33,854. This price is just a bit more than the Mercedes. The good news is the Infiniti EX 35 has the lowest cost of ownership in the segment at $50,704.

The Sticker Price – Less can be very expensive: The sticker price of a Land Rover LR4 is the lowest-priced mid-size luxury SUV. It cost $51,008. Its cost of ownership is around $73,472 which is higher than that of Toyota Land Cruiser. A Toyota Land Cruiser has a sticker price $10,500 more than that of the Land Rover LR4. After five years of ownership the Land Cruiser would cost you $71,507 which is apparently much less than owning a Land Rover LR4.

Let us now look at Audi A6. The Audi A6 would cost you as much as the Mercedes E-class with $49,577 for the Audi and $50,019 for the Mercedes. The A6 ownership over five years will cost you $3,779 less to operate over time. The A6 will cost $70,808 while the E-class, $74,587 over the same period.

The best five-year cost of ownership to the average transaction price, is by the BMW X6. The X6 crossover sells for $84,867 and will cost $91,396 over time. The hybrid version of the X6 sells for about $4,500 more, and has the same cost of ownership ratio.

The sticker price does not always denote the best luxury car value. The costliest luxury car is the Lincoln MKZ, which offers a sticker price of 31,322 but would cost an ownership of $52,811 over five years.

The directives given above are not intended as legal advice. You may pursue your lemon law claim or any other dispute with your automobiles by being in communication with Wisconsin lemon law attorneys of Krohn & Moss Ltd., or Call 1-800 US LEMON® (800-875-3666) toll free, to reach Krohn & Moss for your FREE initial consultation.

We buy cars for utility and convenience. Some of us do it more often than the others. It is wise to remove the older cars before bringing in the newer ones. One may find buying a new or used car much easier than deciding what to do with the present one.

Selling your old car yourself to a private buyer is a good idea if it is a good deal and you have no other option for disposing the old car. Selling your old car yourself to a private buyer involves a whole deal of work. Before selling your old car yourself to a private buyer your vehicle needs prepping. This will cost you time, and money based on its condition.

Before selling your old car to a private buyer:

• Assess your car’s condition
• Decide how much you would want to spend on repairs
• Fix things to avoid legal troubles later with the private buyer
• Clean and repair the vehicle to make it presentable

Using multiple sources determine a fair and realistic asking price for your old car:

• Consult the Kelley Blue Book for values
• Compare the trade-in and suggested retail values listed by Kelley for your car
• Determine an asking price somewhere between them
• Check your local newspaper’s classifieds and newsstand publications containing used-car ads in order to determine local market pricing
• Look for listings of vehicles similar to yours and compare their asking prices

Publicize the sale of your old car in multiple media:

• Advertise and place phone calls
• Place ads in local classifieds or used-car publications, start by in those but be prepared to advertise
• If the car does not sell right away run ads for an extended period of time if necessary

After the ads have been placed:

• Allot time to answer phone calls
• Meet interested parties for test drives
• Schedule multiple buyers wanting to see the car at the same time
• Negotiate the price

Once you have found the right buyer:

• Collect the money for the car sold
• Transfer the title and registration
• Cancel your insurance on the vehicle.

The directives given above are not intended as legal advice. You may pursue your lemon law claim or any other dispute with your automobiles by being in communication with Wisconsin lemon law attorneys of Krohn & Moss Ltd., or Call 1-800 US LEMON® (800-875-3666) toll free, to reach Krohn & Moss for your FREE initial consultation.

When a car hits the 100,000 mile mark, the general idea is that the car has outrun its road-worthiness. This is a gross misconception. Thanks to the innovations in technology, car design and maintenance, nowadays the scenario for cars with 100,000 miles is entirely different. Unless considered for a trade-in, these cars can still go twice as many miles without much fuss. But then, it all depends on how proactively you prevent problems in the car. These preventive measures can add years to the life of your car and let it zoom well past the 100,000 miles.

Just like an aged member of your family, your old car also needs extra care and attention. Using the right oils and allowing regular maintenance checkups will add happy miles and roadworthy years to it. Since your car is your second most expensive investment after your home, it needs as much attention as your house would.

If your car has crossed 100,000 miles the following preventive measures will help your car run smoothly even beyond:

• The owner’s manual is one place you should look into for the schedule of the 100,000 miles veteran and the list of its replaceable parts, based on the model. In modern cars their maintenance schedule is built into their internal computers and you are alerted with a flash of light or a beep in case of exigency
• As the adage goes, one stitch in time saves nine, prevent expensive repairs. For example, a water pump or a timing belt would need greater attention to prevent any problem with them. These are not expensive parts but if the belt snaps, it can cause an internal damage to the engine and if the water pump fails it can overheat the engine and warp the cylinder head
• Liquids like the fuel, oil, brake fluid and power steering fluid that go into your car are crucial in extending the life of a car. To extend the life of your car beyond 100,000 miles consider frequent oil changes and fluid checks done at dealerships or full-service auto center
• Insist on being attended only by the staff with extensive training and experience at the quick-change lube shop. This will ensure that your car is not topped off long-life fluid with non-long-life or put power-steering fluid where the brake fluid ought to be
• While choosing oil, consider buying full synthetic oils. They are designed for longer life, emit less, lube the engine better and offer better performance. These may cost a little extra. If you are consistent over time you can prevent mixing synthetics and blends to avoid problems. Check the manual for advice on type of gas that benefits your car. Choose between the premium and the regular based on the benefit mentioned therein
• Research thoroughly and choose the best repair shop to extend the life of your car. Ask friends and neighbors, and search online for reviews. Once you’ve chosen one, get to know the staff there and ask questions. Sticking with your car’s dealer can be a safe choice, because the staff there knows your car better and is trained to work on your car. Your car would need them because, at 100,000 miles it is out of warranty and the parts for some vehicles, including exotic cars and some German models, can be hard to get
• Type of driving plays a key role in extending the life of a car. Highway driving puts lesser stress on a car than while driving in the city. Highway driving involves less quick braking and acceleration, and moisture under the hood has a chance to evaporate. Cars that do a lot of short trips will require exhaust work a lot sooner than the one that travels on the highway. Local driving in colder climates can also cause a buildup of ice and snow under the car

Information given above is not intended as legal advice. You may continue your lemon law claim or any other contention with your automobiles by contacting Wisconsin lemon law attorneys of Krohn & Moss Ltd., or Call 1-800 US LEMON® (800-875-3666) toll free, to reach Krohn & Moss for your FREE initial consultation.

Though airbags sound a recent invention, their history goes as far back as 1951. The first patent of the airbag was applied for by the German Walter Linderer and American John Hedrik. Hedrik’s patent was granted in 1953. It was not until the late 1980s that airbags became a standard feature when Chrysler began to incorporate them into its models. By the early 1990s most cars were being manufactured with airbags to protect the driver and, within a couple of years, this had been extended to the front passenger seat.

30 years ago, the first series-production car equipped with an airbag left the Mercedes-Benz assembly line after 13 years of development time for the first driver airbag at Mercedes-Benz. According to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the airbag has saved more than 28,000 human lives in the USA to date. Since October 1992 a driver airbag has been standard equipment in all passenger cars bearing the Mercedes star. The NHTSA states that when compared to an occupant not wearing a seat belt in a vehicle with no airbag, the statistical probability of fatal injury with an airbag and seat belt is 61 percent lower.

Modern cars are getting safer with protective systems that are becoming more and more intelligent:

• Belt tensioners improve the protective effect of seat belts
• Multi-stage airbags respond according to accident severity
• The control systems for these onboard safety features now have the processing power of the ‘supercomputers’ used in space exploration 25 years ago

Despite the large number of lives saved, as well as continuous improvements to these protection systems, sceptics still occasionally pose the question whether the airbag can also be dangerous. Numerous studies have shown the effectiveness of airbag systems since their inception.

One study conducted by the NHTSA published in January 2009 documents the following facts:

Since their introduction, airbags have saved a total of

• 28,244 lives in the USA
• 23,127 drivers of whom13,999 were not wearing a seat belt
• 5117 front passengers of whom 2883 were not wearing a seat belt

All safety experts agree that the airbag can never be a substitute for seat belts. It is only in conjunction with a seat belt that it becomes an optimally coordinated system that demonstrably makes a major contribution to the prevention of severe or fatal injuries to the occupants during serious accidents.

Today, there are two types of airbag of airbag in use. The frontal airbag is built into the area in front of the driver and passenger and protects from a frontal crash. Side impact airbags protect the vehicle occupants from a side impact. In 2006, Honda became the first manufacturer to install airbags in motorcycles.

How an airbag works

The basic concept behind the operation of airbags is quite simple. When a vehicle has an impact, it decelerates so fast, the airbag sensors are triggered. This sends power to the heating element in a propellant, causing a chemical reaction that produces a gas, which in turn fills the airbag. A key safety feature is that as soon as the gas expands in the airbag, it begins to cool, causing the bag to deflate as soon as it fully inflates. Obviously, speed is of the essence and an airbag is able to fully inflate in 0.05 of a second following the impact.

The above instructions are not meant as legal advice. You may persist your lemon law claim or any other issue with your automobiles by contacting wisconsin lemon law attorneys of Krohn & Moss Ltd., or Call 1-800 US LEMON® (800-875-3666) toll free, to reach Krohn & Moss for your FREE initial consultation.

However unintentional, a car accident does cause damage to the car/s involved and to the occupants of the car/s. Car accidents are often referred to as auto accidents, motor vehicle accidents, road accidents, road traffic accidents (RTA’s) and traffic accidents. RTA’s cause thousands of deaths and hundreds of thousands of disabilities each year. According to a 2002 figure, car accidents kill an estimated one million people each year worldwide.

The constant increase in the RTA’s can be explained as the following:

• Traffic is constantly getting congested as the number of cars is increasing
• In-car tech toys like cell phones, TVs, pagers, computer notebooks, portable CD and DVD players, laptop computers, electronic games, computer games, GPS navigators, digital recorders, cam-corders and radar detectors distract the driver
• Some types of cars are naturally less safe
• A car with extra safety features increases an undue confidence in the driver of the safety levels which prompts speeding while he drives. Every safety advantage gifted by technology is seems to be eroding driver behavior

Motor vehicle accidents can be categorized as the following:

• Head-on collisions
• Rear-end collisions
• Side collisions
• Rollovers
• Single-car accidents
• Pile-ups

The wisconsin lemon law attorney, Gregory Moss said that Collisions may involve other automobile, bikes, bicycles or trucks, or pedestrians. A collision may occur with stationary structures or objects like trees or road signs too. In a collision between two cars, the occupants of a smaller car is more likely to suffer greater fatalities.

Many factors result in car accidents, and sometimes multiple causes may contribute to a single accident.

Factors contributing to an accident:

• Driver distraction: Driver distraction includes fiddling while the car is moving, with in-car tech toys, chatting with other passengers in the car, eating, grooming in the car, dealing with children or pets in the back seat, or bending to retrieve dropped items
• Driver impairment: Tired, sleepy, drowsy, ill, drunk or drugged drivers are distracted drivers
• Mechanical failure: Mechanical failure includes flat tires, tires blowing out, brake failure, axle failure or steering mechanism failure in the middle of the road while the car is on the move
• Road conditions: Foreign obstacles or substances on the road surface, rain, ice, or snow making the roads slick or pot holes lead to fatal collisions
• Speeding: Exceeding safe speeding conditions specific to the road design, condition, weather, other motorists’ speed etc. are to blame too for motor vehicle collisions
• Road design and layout: Some roads are notorious for being ‘accident black spots’ due to different alignment, visibility, camber and surface conditions, road markings etc.

Going slower

Though speed is an inherent cause of accidents in itself, it alone is not always the prime cause of accidents. A mis-application of speed can be a contributing factor in an accident resulting from an underlying cause to have serious repercussions. If you drive slower it can do you no harm besides, the laws of physics play in your favor.

Purchasing a vehicle is the second largest investment after a home for most of us. And of course, we would expect that there are laws and procedures in place to protect this investment. Every new vehicle has warranties provided with vehicles that protect consumers. If your vehicle shows any nonconformity against the warranty it has, the Wisconsin’s lemon law would step in to provide you the protection provided you are a Wisconsin consumer. Signed into law on November 3, 1983, the Wisconsin’s Lemon Law, one of the strongest in the country, has been protecting the Wisconsin consumer for almost 27 years now. The Wisconsin’s Lemon Law requires a manufacturer to refund or replace a new vehicle if it turns out to be a “lemon”.

The Wisconsin’s Lemon Law covers:

• New cars
• Motorcycles
• Truck
• Semi-trucks
• Motor homes

The Wisconsin lemon Law for Defective Semi-trucks

The Wisconsin’s Lemon Law, Wisconsin Statute section 218.0171, provides relief for consumers who have bought or leased a new semi-truck having a substantial defect or condition that cannot be repaired in a certain number of repair visits or a certain amount of time. It entitles the owner of an automobile that meets the statutory definition of a “lemon” to a refund or replacement and payment by the manufacturer of actual attorney fees and costs if you prevail. If you are successful in court under this statute, you are entitled to recover double the amount of any monetary loss, as well as payment of actual attorney fees and costs.

The Wisconsin’s Lemon Law applies to new semi-trucks

• That are covered by a one-year express warranty, including demonstrator or executive-driven vehicles
• With a “substantial” defect or condition that the manufacturer or its authorized dealer has unsuccessfully attempted to repair at least four times
• That has been out of service because of “substantial” defects for a total of 30 calendar days, which do not have to be consecutive

The Wisconsin’s Lemon Law applies to new semi-trucks with a defect or condition covered by the warranty.

• The defect must significantly impair the use, value or safety of the semi-truck
• Defects that are the result of abuse, neglect or unauthorized modification of the vehicle by the owner are not covered by the law

To get the best of the Wisconsin’s lemon law:

• Each time your equipment is in for repairs, make sure you obtain a repair invoice that shows the problems you reported
• Obtain a repair invoice even if the shop cannot determine or fix the problem
• Log in the date the vehicle was brought in for repairs and the date it was returned
• Save the copies of all purchase contracts, warranties, warranty repair orders, letters about its problems
• Consult an experienced attorney who can advise you on the best recourse for the relief

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act: If the defects with your new semi-truck do not meet the requirements of the Lemon Law, you may have claims under other state and federal laws that protect owners of new or used vehicles.

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty act is a Federal Law that protects you if your new semi-truck is defective and has an express written warranty. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty act applies to your defective new semi-truck that does not perform as it should. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty act greatly affects the rights of new semi-truck buyers. a vehicle manufacturer cannot void the warranty on a new semi-truck due to an after market unless he can prove that the after market part caused or contributed to the failure in the vehicle as per the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act -15 U.S.C. 2302(C). If your new semi-truck is a lemon and has a written warranty, the warranter must permit you the choice of either a refund or replacement of the defective new semi-trucks.

This information is not intended as legal advice. Please direct your specific questions to K&M attorneys and know more about your lemon law rights. If you want to pursue your lemon law claim, call 1-800 US LEMON® (800-875-3666) toll free, to reach Krohn & Moss for your FREE initial consultation. Or submit your information online for your free case evaluation.