Like most states, New Jersey has laws on the books that are designed to protect car buyers. People and businesses that sell cars have the legal responsibility to be open and honest about the vehicles’ condition.
When you are the victim of a car seller’s dishonesty, you do not have to cope with the financial loss and frustration alone. You can hire a lawyer who specializes in the lemon law in NJ to take recuperative measures against the responsible party.
Filing a Lawsuit
According to the lemon law in NJ, you can file a lawsuit to put the seller on notice that you intend to pursue the money that you lost in the transaction. The seller will have 30 days to respond to the lawsuit. The private seller or dealership can give back the money or provide proof that you were not wronged in the transaction.
If the seller does not offer compensation or prove that the lawsuit has no merit, the case can move forward to court. You can provide evidence to the court that the seller lied to and took advantage of you by not disclosing the condition of the vehicle that you bought.
Pursuing Punitive Damages
In limited circumstances, you could be entitled to punitive damages because of the seller’s actions. If you lost money that you otherwise needed to support your family with, you could ask for it to be paid back.
Likewise, if you were hurt in an accident because of the vehicle’s condition, you could be entitled to punitive damages. Your lawyer can ask the court to demand payment not only for the money that you paid for the car but also cash for your emotional or physical distress.
You can find out more about NJ lemon law attorneys online. Contact the Krohn & Moss Ltd. Consumer Law Center.