Source: http://erobinsonlaw.com/areas-of-expertise/
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Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 8', '§ 46', '§ 46', '§ 162', '§ 59', '§ 59', '§ 46']

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E. Robinson Law Areas of Expertise
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The overwhelming majority of automobile dealers are honest people, simply trying to make a living, just like you and I.
Automobile Law Services
It only takes a few bad apples to ruin the reputation of the whole lot.
Almost every state has a new car lemon law that allows the owner a refund
Don't Let them take advantage
If you believe that your car is a lemon: Contact us we can assist you.
What do you do if you believe you have a personal injury claim against another person or corporation? A few personal injury claims are caused by the intentional acts of others.
Most personal injury claims, however, deal with negligence. Negligence is defined as a failure to use reasonable care.
E. Robinson Law Other Services
The overwhelming majority of automobile dealers are honest people, simply trying to make a living, just like you and I. It only takes a few bad apples to ruin the reputation of the whole lot. Although highly regulated in virtually every state, a few dealers attempt to bend the rules and a few others engage in downright dishonest practices to consummate a deal. We aggressively pursue the dishonest dealers on behalf of our clients and feel pleased and honored to do so.
The tactics that a dishonest dealer might use to take advantage of a consumer are many and varied, sometimes sophisticated and other times obvious. A few of the more common tactics are:
Swallowing down payments and trade-ins simply not accounting for the total down payment or a trade-in by not including them in the
Making promises that are not in writing with no intention of honoring them;
Selling useless extended service warranties the warranties supposedly kick in sometime after the car is sold (usually two weeks), leaving the consumer with no recourse if the car breaks down before then;
Violating the Truth in Lending Act by not properly disclosing the true cost of borrowing to finance the vehicle;
Failing to provide titles and titling documents as required;
Using terms of financing as a means of obtaining leverage for better terms later;
Misrepresenting the number of miles on a vehicle (odometer fraud).
This list is not all-inclusive and as we stated earlier, most dealers don’t engage in these practices. If you are the victim of a car deal gone bad, in most cases, you should seek legal advice immediately. Local bar associations are equipped and will be happy to provide you with a referral to an attorney who practices in this area.
Almost every state has a new car “lemon law” that allows the owner a refund or replacement when a new vehicle has a substantial problem that is not fixed within a reasonable number of attempts. Many specify a refund or replacement when a substantial problem is not fixed in four repair attempts or the car has been out of service for 30 days within the first 12,000 miles/12 months. If you believe that your car is a lemon:
1.contact your state or local consumer protection office for information on the laws in your state and the steps you must take to resolve the situation;
2.give the dealer a list of symptoms every time you bring it in for repairs; keep copies for your records;
3.get copies of the repair orders showing the reported problems, the repairs performed and the dates that the car was in the shop; and
4.contact the manufacturer, as well as the dealer, to report the problem. Some state laws require that you do so to give the manufacturer a chance to fix the problem. Your owner’s manual will list an address for the manufacturer.
Virginia State Statutes
59.1-207.9. Short title.
(1984, c. 773.)
59.1-207.10. Intent.
59.1-207.11. Definitions.
“Incidental damages” shall have the same meaning as provided in § 8.2-715.
“Lienholder” means a person, partnership, association, corporation or entity with a security interest in a motor vehicle pursuant to a lien.
“Motor vehicle” means only passenger cars, pickup or panel trucks, motorcycles, self-propelled motorized chassis of motor homes and mopeds as those terms are defined in § 46.2-100 and demonstrators or leased vehicles with which a warranty was issued.
“Motor vehicle dealer” shall have the same meaning as provided in § 46.2-1500.
“Nonconformity” means a failure to conform with a warranty, a defect or a condition, including those that do not affect the driveability of the vehicle, which significantly impairs the use, market value, or safety of a motor vehicle.
“Reasonable allowance for use” shall not exceed one-half of the amount allowed per mile by the Internal Revenue Service, as provided by regulation, revenue procedure, or revenue ruling promulgated pursuant to § 162 of the Internal Revenue Code, for use of a personal vehicle for business purposes, plus an amount to account for any loss to the fair market value of the vehicle resulting from damage beyond normal wear and tear, unless the damage resulted from nonconformity to any warranty.
(1984, c. 773; 1988, c. 603; 1990, c. 772; 1998, c. 671.)
59.1-207.12. Conformity to all warranties.
(1984, c. 773; 1988, c. 603.)
59.1-207.13. Nonconformity of motor vehicles.
If the manufacturer, its agents or authorized dealers do not conform the motor vehicle to any applicable warranty by repairing or correcting any defect or condition, including those that do not affect the driveability of the vehicle, which significantly impairs the use, market value, or safety of the motor vehicle to the consumer after a reasonable number of attempts during the lemon law rights period, the manufacturer shall:
Replace the motor vehicle with a comparable motor vehicle acceptable to the consumer, or
Accept return of the motor vehicle and refund to the consumer, lessor, and any lienholder as their interest may appear the full contract price, including all collateral charges, incidental damages, less a reasonable allowance for the consumer’s use of the vehicle up to the date of the first notice of nonconformity that is given to the manufacturer, its agents or authorized dealer. Refunds or replacements shall be made to the consumer, lessor or lienholder, if any, as their interests may appear. The consumer shall have the unconditional right to choose a refund rather than a replacement vehicle and to drive the motor vehicle until he receives either the replacement vehicle or the refund. The subtraction of a reasonable allowance for use shall apply to either a replacement or refund of the motor vehicle. Mileage, expenses, and reasonable loss of use necessitated by attempts to conform such motor vehicle to the express warranty may be recovered by the consumer.
It shall be presumed that a reasonable number of attempts have been undertaken to conform a motor vehicle to any warranty and that the motor vehicle is significantly impaired if during the period of eighteen months following the date of original delivery of the motor vehicle to the consumer either:
The same nonconformity has been subject to repair three or more times by the manufacturer, its agents or its authorized dealers and the same nonconformity continues to exist;
The motor vehicle is out of service due to repair for a cumulative total of thirty calendar days, unless such repairs could not be performed because of conditions beyond the control of the manufacturer, its agents or authorized dealers, including war, invasion, strike, fire, flood or other natural disasters.
The lemon law rights period shall be extended if the manufacturer has been notified but the nonconformity has not been effectively repaired by the manufacturer, or its agent, by the expiration of the lemon law rights period.
The manufacturer shall clearly and conspicuously disclose to the consumer, in the warranty or owner’s manual, that written notification of the nonconformity to the manufacturer is required before the consumer may be eligible for a refund or replacement of the vehicle under this chapter. The manufacturer shall include with the warranty or owner’s manual the name and address to which the consumer shall send such written notification.
It shall be the responsibility of the consumer, or his representative, prior to availing himself of the provisions of this section, to notify the manufacturer of the need for the correction or repair of the nonconformity, unless the manufacturer has been notified as defined in § 59.1-207.11. If the manufacturer or factory representative has not been notified of the conditions set forth in subsection B of this section and any of the conditions set forth in subsection B of this section already exists, the manufacturer shall be given an additional opportunity, not to exceed fifteen days, to correct or repair the nonconformity. If notification shall be mailed to an authorized dealer, the authorized dealer shall upon receipt forward such notification to the manufacturer.
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to limit or impair the rights and remedies of a consumer under any other law.
An alleged nonconformity does not significantly impair the use, market value, or safety of the motor vehicle; or
A nonconformity is the result of abuse, neglect or unauthorized modification or alteration of a motor vehicle by a consumer.
(1984, c. 773; 1987, c. 607; 1988, c. 603; 1990, c. 772; 1998, c. 671.)
59.1-207.14. Action to enforce provisions of chapter.
59.1-207.15. Informal dispute settlement procedure.
If a manufacturer provides an informal dispute settlement procedure, it shall be the consumer’s choice whether or not to use it prior to availing himself of his rights under this chapter.
If a dispute settlement procedure is resorted to by the consumer and the decision is for a refund or a comparable motor vehicle, the manufacturer shall have forty days from its receipt of the consumer’s acceptance of the decision or from the date of a court order to comply with the terms of the decision.
In any action brought because of the manufacturer’s failure to comply with the decision, within the scope of the procedure’s authority, rendered as a result of a dispute resolution proceeding or a court order, the court may triple the value of the award stipulated in the decision as provided for in this chapter, plus award other equitable relief the court deems appropriate, including additional attorney’s fees.
(1988, c. 603; 1990, c. 772.)
59.1-207.16. Action to be brought within certain time.
Any action brought under this chapter shall be commenced within eighteen months following the date of original delivery of the motor vehicle to the consumer. However, any consumer whose good faith attempts to settle the dispute pursuant to the informal dispute settlement provisions of § 59.1-207.15 have not resulted in the satisfactory resolution of the matter shall have (i) twelve months from the date of the final action taken by the manufacturer in its dispute settlement procedure, if such procedure was resorted to within eighteen months of delivery, or (ii) the original eighteen-month period, whichever is longer, to file an action in the proper court.
(1988, c. 603; 1990, c. 772; 1999, c. 387.)
59.1-207.16:1. Disclosure of returned vehicles; penalty.
If a motor vehicle that is returned to the manufacturer or distributor either under this chapter or by judgment, decree, or arbitration award in this or any other state and is then transferred by a manufacturer or distributor to a dealer, licensed under Chapter 15 (§ 46.2-1500 et seq.) of Title 46.2, in Virginia, the manufacturer or distributor shall disclose this information to the Virginia dealer.
If the returned vehicle is then made available for resale or for another lease, the manufacturer shall, prior to sale or lease, disclose in writing in a clear and conspicuous manner, on a separate piece of paper in ten-point capital type, to the Virginia dealer that this motor vehicle was returned to the manufacturer, distributor or factory branch, the nature of the defect which resulted in the return, and the condition of the motor vehicle at the time of transfer to the Virginia dealer. It shall be the responsibility of the dealer that receives this disclosure to give notice of its contents to any prospective purchaser or lessee prior to sale or lease, and to transfer the disclosure, or a copy thereof, to the next purchaser or lessee. A dealer’s responsibility under this section shall cease upon the sale or lease of the affected motor vehicle to the first purchaser or lessee not for resale or lease.
Any manufacturer or distributor who violates this section of the Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.
(1994, c. 578; 1998, c. 671.)
MARYLAND’S LEMON LAW
A Guide to Consumer Rights and Remedies When a New Car Turns Out to be Defective
Prepared by the Department of Legislative Reference Annapolis, Maryland
In 1984 the General Assembly enacted the Maryland Automotive Warranty Enforcement Act more commonly known as “The Lemon Law.” This law provides consumers with a number of rights and remedies to aid in the enforcement of manufacturer’s warranties on new cars.
Every new automobile sold by a dealership in the United States comes with a manufacturer’s warranty. The warranty may be of little comfort when the car dealer or manufacturer does not satisfy the guarantees made in the warranty or when the new car must be returned for repairs again and again. If this happens, the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) is the first place to turn for help.
Lemon qualification: Three unsuccessful repairs or 30 calendar days out of service or 1 unsuccessful repair of a safety-related defect within 2 years or 18,000 miles, whichever is shorter.
Notification requirement: Certified mail to manufacturer, agent, or dealer documenting each defect.
State-run arbitration? Yes
For more info, call: Contact the Center for Auto Safety at 2001 S St., N.W., Washington, DC 20009
Leased cars covered?: Yes
Automobile/Mobile Home Repossessions
When you borrow money to buy a car, you should know that:
1.The lender can repossess if you miss a payment or for any default (a violation of the contract).
2.The lender can repossess without advance notice.
3.After repossession, the lender might be able to accelerate, meaning the lender can require the borrower to pay off the entire balance of the loan in order for the borrower to get the vehicle back.
4.The lender can sell the vehicle at auction.
5.The lender might be able to sue the borrower for the deficiency if it sells the car for less than the borrower owes. This is true even in voluntary repossessions.
6.The lender cannot commit a “breach of the peace,” for example, breaking into a home or physically threatening someone, in the course of a repossession.
If you know you’re going to be late with a payment, talk to the lender to try to work things out. If the lender agrees to a delay or to modify the contract, be sure you get the agreement in writing.
1.What is the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act?
2.What debts are covered?
3.Who is a debt collector?
4.How may a debt collector contact you?
5.Can you stop a debt collector from contacting you?
6.May a debt collector contact any person other than you concerning your debt?
7.What is the debt collector required to tell you about the debt?
8.May a debt collector continue to contact you if you believe you do not owe money?
9.What types of debt collection practices are prohibited?
10.What control do you have over payment of debts?
11.What can you do if you believe a debt collector violated the law?
Harassment. Debt collectors may not harass, oppress, or abuse any person. For example, debt collectors may not falsely imply that they are attorneys or government representatives, falsely imply that you have committed a crime, falsely represent that they operate or work for a credit bureau, misrepresent the amount of your debt, misrepresent the involvement of an attorney in collecting a debt, indicate that papers being sent to you are legal forms when they are not or indicate that papers being sent to you are not legal forms when they are. Debt collectors also may not state that you will be arrested if you do not pay your debt or they will seize, garnish, attach, or sell your property or wages, unless the collection agency or credit intends to do so, and it is legal to do so (garnishment is currently prohibited in South Carolina for the collection of most debts) actions, such as a lawsuit, will be taken against you, which legally may not be taken, or which they do not intend to take. Debt collectors may not give false credit information about you to anyone, send you anything that looks like an official document from a court or government agency when it is not or use a false name. Unfair practices. Debt collectors may not engage in unfair practices in attempting to collect a debt. For example, collectors may not collect any amount greater than your debt, unless allowed by law, deposit a post-dated check prematurely, make you accept collect calls or pay for telegrams, take or threaten to take your property unless this can be done legally or contact you by postcard.
You have the right to sue a collector in a state or federal court within one year from the date you believe the law was violated. If your win, you may recover money for the damages you suffered. Court costs and attorney’s fees also can be recovered. A group of people also may sue a debt collector and recover money for damages up to $500,000, or one percent of the collector’s net worth, whichever is less.
Most personal injury claims, however, deal with negligence. Negligence is defined as a failure to use reasonable care. In other words doing something a reasonably careful person would not do or failing to do something a reasonably careful person would do. One party can only be liable for another party’s personal injury if that person was at fault and that fault was the cause of the other person’s injury. Most personal injury claims involve automobile accidents; bus, plane or train accidents; premises liability or professional negligence. Premises liability cases may include slip and falls, building defects, failure to provide adequate security, or the like.
An individual can resolve his or her own personal injury claim either with the at-fault individual or with an insurance representative of the at-fault individual. In a minor injury with no permanent disability, it may be economically advantageous to handle the claim without an attorney. However, where there is a dispute as to fault, or a dispute as to the extent of the injury, use of an experienced attorney is recommended. If you have a claim that you believe requires the use of an attorney, you should employ an attorney early. You should not give statements or make commitments to a representative of the other party without legal advice.
Often times the total extent of an injury cannot be determined for some length of time. This is particularly true with injuries to children, injuries that cause psychological problems and injuries which aggravate pre-existing conditions. In the final analysis, the amount of money that you receive to compensate you for your personal injuries is dependent on the fault of the two parties and the extent of the personal injuries.
You should immediately notify all insurance carriers of your personal injury claim. If it is an automobile claim, you should not only notify the other parties’ insurance carrier, but also your own automobile insurance carrier. Different benefits are dependent upon the type of accident and the type of insurance coverage held by the different parties. If you are employing an attorney, it is important for you to bring to that attorney all of your insurance policies including automobile, health, and disability. Caution should be used in resolving these claims early.
In a personal injury claim, a person may bring a claim for their out-of-pocket medical expenses, wages lost because of being disabled, their inability to earn wages in the future, pain and suffering, disfigurement, disability and inability to lead the same life one led before the incident. If the claim is for the death of an individual, most state legislatures have established who may make a claim for that wrongful death and what damages each person may claim.
The Law Offices of E. F. Robinson handles most personal injury cases based on a contingency fee, which means the lawyer takes as a fee a percentage of the recovery. Fee agreements with us are in writing. The fee agreement must state a method by which the fee is to be determined including the percentage or percentages that shall go to the lawyer in the event of a settlement, trial or appeal. If we would like to associate another attorney from another law firm to assist, the contract must be agreed to and signed by all attorneys as well as yourself. A copy of the statement signed by both the client and the lawyer shall be given to the client to keep and the lawyer shall retain a copy in the client’s file.
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Email: info@erobinsonlaw.com
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