On Sunday, June 19, 2016, Anton Yelchin was killed by his own vehicle. The 27-year-old Star Trek actor was scheduled for a rehearsal earlier that night. When he never arrived, friends went to the missing actor’s house to find Yelchin’s body pinned between his 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee and a brick mailbox. It is unclear how the accident happened but it is possible a defect with the Jeep Grand Cherokee contributed to the actor’s death.

Only two months before, Fiat Chrysler recalled over 800,000 vehicles for a gear-shifting problem. Yelchin’s vehicle type was one of those recalled. Jeep Grand Cherokees (2014 – 2016) have also been recalled for transmission problems, software issues, problems with the rear control arm among others.

Vehicle Recalls

The tragic loss of Anton Yelchin has caused some outcry about the current recall procedures. Under the current process, recalls can take anywhere from several weeks to months. This delay for consumers to be able to repair their vehicles means that these potentially dangerous models are driven long after they are recalled without the needed repairs.

Your Rights

If you are the owner of a vehicle that has been recalled, it is important to know your rights. While not all recalls result in a right to compensation, in some cases, New Jersey’s Lemon Laws or federal Warranty Laws may cover your situation. These laws typically come into effect if your car is out of service for a prolonged period of time due to difficulty in getting the parts necessary for the repair.

For example, New Jersey’s Lemon Law entitles an owner to compensation of an automobile that has had multiple repair attempts for the same problem or that has been out of service for 20 calendar days within the first 24 months or 24,000 miles (whichever comes first), among others.

Compensation

If the repair takes an unreasonable amount of time, you may be entitled to compensation under New Jersey or federal law, including:

• A partial refund for the vehicle;
• The manufacturer repurchasing the vehicle from you; or
• A replacement vehicle.

Call a New Jersey Lemon Law Attorney for a Free Consultation

If you have a vehicle that has been recalled, contact a New Jersey Lemon Law attorney today. A skilled attorney can review your case and ensure you receive all of the compensation you are entitled to. Call the Law Office of David W. Polsky at 973-686-9787 today for more information.