CALIFORNIA'S PREMIERE
LEMON LAW ATTORNEYS
✓ RECEIVE CASH COMPENSATION
✓ RETURN YOUR VEHICLE AND GET YOUR MONEY BACK
✓ REPLACE YOUR VEHICLE
WHAT STEPS MUST I TAKE IF I THINK I MAY HAVE A LEMON CAR?
Here in California, strong consumer protection laws protect buyers of vehicles and other consumer goods. These laws are important – especially when buying or leasing a new vehicle, which is the largest purchase many Californians make regularly. The California Lemon Law gives you legal rights when you are stuck with a vehicle that breaks down again and again.
Our experienced California Lemon Law attorneys have helped many consumers get the compensation they deserve for their lemons. At your free consultation, our experienced lemon lawyers can give you information about your specific case.
GETTING STARTED IS AS EASY AS
1
2
3
WHAT TYPES OF VEHICLES ARE COVERED BY THE CALIFORNIA LEMON LAW?
The Tanner Consumer Protection Act applies to many different types of vehicles. Motorcycles, boats, and recreational vehicles are all covered by this law. New and used vehicles can both qualify as lemons (so long as the repairs occurred within the qualifying period of eighteen months from delivery and within 18,000 miles on the odometer).
The lemon law can also cover leased vehicles, so long as the lease was made with a warranty. Damages are calculated a little differently in lease cases than purchase cases. In a purchase case, you could be entitled to a refund of your down payment, or finance charges, or other payments made toward the lemon.
In a lease, you may be entitled to the refund of your lease origination fee or any lease payments made while the car was being repaired. There could be offsets for the miles that you put on the vehicle when it was in service.The experienced consumer protection lawyers at The Lemon Pros can help explain what damages you are entitled to on your particular lemon case. Whether you bought or leased, whether the vehicle was new or used, and regardless of the type of vehicle you have, California’s lemon law is in place to protect you.
WHAT ARE MY LEGAL RIGHTS IF I HAVE BOUGHT OR LEASED A LEMON?
The Tanner Consumer Protection Act is one of the strongest Lemon Laws in the United States. A manufacturer of a lemon can be required to replace your new vehicle with one that is not defective. It may also require the manufacturer to repurchase the vehicle from you (with deductions for the mileage that you put on the car).
The manufacturer can also be required to pay for consequential damages (such as the cost of a rental car while your lemon was being repaired), as well as your attorney’s fees. Be sure to document all costs you incur because of your vehicle’s defect.
These costs could include lost wages if you had to take time off work to deal with your lemon, or Uber and Lyft fees while your car was in the shop, or even a hotel fee if you were stuck out of town because your car broke down on you. If it can be proven that these expenses were related to the manufacturer’s neglect, you can be reimbursed for these losses in your Lemon Law claim.
California’s Lemon Law also allows additional penalties against manufacturers that “willfully” violate the Tanner Consumer Protection Act. These punitive damages are meant to punish manufacturers that try to get away with selling lemons and discourage other auto manufacturers from trying to take similar shortcuts that hurt consumers. The law allows awards of up to two times the cost of the actual damages you proved.
If, for example, your repurchase and financial losses were $25,000, it could be possible to get an additional $50,000 if it could be proven that the manufacturer willfully ignored the law and tried to get away with selling you a lemon. Punitive damages are not always available, but they can result in significant compensation for the inconvenience and stress you endure in dealing with a new vehicle that turns out to be a lemon.
Be sure to consult with an experienced lemon lawyer who is on your side so that you can get an honest legal opinion about whether these punitive damages might be available in your case.
WHAT CAN A LEMON LAW ATTORNEY DO FOR ME?
In general, people with civil claims (like a lemon law case) recover more money when they have an attorney than when they handle their claims on their own. There are many reasons for this.First of all, an attorney knows how to prove your claim effectively. It can be challenging to know what evidence to present or how to overcome the other lawyer’s objections if you have never handled this particular type of claim before.
The experienced California Lemon Law attorneys at The Lemon Pros know how to present a persuasive case to a judge or jury. Second, an attorney knows all the different types of compensation to which you are legally entitled. You may not know that you are entitled to punitive damages. As we have seen, those can be significant, and you could miss out on thousands of dollars in compensation if you do not know how to prove that you qualify for these punitive damages.
A lawyer will also help you consider all the many expenses that could be related to your lemon. You might not think of all your lost wages, rental car fees, Uber receipts, and other losses. A lawyer will help you gather evidence of all the financial losses you have suffered so that you do not miss out on any compensation you are owed.
Perhaps most importantly, a lemon lawyer will fight on your side. Auto manufacturers hire armies of lawyers to defend legitimate claims against them. If you do not have your own lawyer, you will have to deal with the power of a large company’s entire legal department on your own. It can be nearly impossible to defend your own legal rights in this situation.
The manufacturer’s lawyers are not on your side. They might say that you have a weak case, or that you aren’t entitled to very much compensation, or that you don’t have a case at all. These people are not on your side. In fact, they are actively working against you to pay as little as possible.
You should never take this type of legal advice from someone who is on the other side. Only your own lawyer can give you the best advice about your legal rights. Your lawyer will also be able to stand up to the power of a large corporation with an extensive legal department. Doing this is the best way to ensure that your legal rights are protected.
Fill out the form below, we will get back you soon.
REQUEST A CONSULTATION TOTALLY FREE
7 days a week from 8:00am to 5:00pm
(800) 917 7147
Have Questions? Ask Your Lawyer
The Tanner Consumer Protection Act provides for attorneys’ fees. This means that your attorney can be paid through your claim without accepting any money initially. Each case is different. The important thing is to be sure you at least consult with an attorney so that you understand your legal rights.
The experienced Lemon Law attorneys at Lemon Law offer free consultations. We can discuss your case with no obligation, and we require no upfront fees to discuss your case at a consultation. Do not be afraid to at least consult with a lawyer about your potential lemon law claim.
WHAT IF MY PURCHASE AGREEMENT HAS A MANDATORY ARBITRATION CLAUSE?
Over the past few decades, it has become common for auto manufacturers to include mandatory arbitration clauses in their purchase agreements and written warranties. Doing this means that the customer is contractually obligated to go through arbitration before he or she may file a claim in court. Some manufacturers try to use this process to discourage consumers from filing their valid legal claims.
The Tanner Consumer Protection Act is separate from your written purchase agreement or warranty. As a result, you have the right to file a lemon law claim under this act, regardless of what your written purchase agreement or warranty requires.
Arbitration can sometimes be a useful tool for resolving legal claims without the time and expense of litigation. It is up to you and your lawyer, however, to decide whether this is the right way to handle your particular lemon law claim. The auto manufacturer cannot force you to arbitrate a lemon law claim that is separate from your contractual rights in your purchase agreement or warranty.
WHAT IF MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED?
Most standard vehicle warranties are longer than the eighteen-month, eighteen thousand mile requirements of the California Lemon Law. This means that you may be past the time to file a lemon law claim if your vehicle is also out of warranty. However: the Tanner Consumer Protect Act focuses on when the repairs were performed.
If your vehicle was still under the eighteen-month delivery window and under 18,000 miles at the time the repairs were performed, you could still be entitled to relief under the Lemon Law, even if these repairs did not fail until after your vehicle came out of the warranty window. Extended warranties and service plans are generally not covered by the lemon law because they cover repairs made after the lemon law window has closed.
As you can see, the timing of repairs is critical, and this can become complicated when your vehicle also has a warranty or extended warranty. Always consult with a lemon lawyer to be sure you understand how these timelines apply to your particular case. You should never assume your vehicle will not be covered without discussing your case with a lawyer. If you do, you could walk away from thousands of dollars in damages to which you are legally entitled.
EXPERIENCED CALIFORNIA LEMON LAW ATTORNEYS FOR VEHICLE DEFECT CASES
You don’t have to spend hours searching online for a “Lemon Law attorney near me.” The experienced legal team at Lemon Law is close by, wherever you live in California. Our California Lemon Law team serves clients in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Riverside, San Jose, San Diego, Sacramento, Sherman Oaks, and throughout the state. Clients all across California have trusted us to protect their important legal rights, and we will fight hard for you, too. Call (877) 513-0536 or complete our online intake form to schedule your free consultation. The sooner you have an experienced Lemon lawyer fighting on your side, the better protected your legal rights will be.
WHAT IS REASONABLE AMOUNT OF WARRANTY REPAIRS, FOR ME TO FILE A LEMON LAW CLAIM?
MEET OUR ATTORNEYS
Michael Saeedian, Esq
FOUNDING ATTORNEY
Arash Khorsandi, Esq
ATTORNEY
Will My VIN Information Be Kept Private?
How To Win a Lemon Law Case Without Attorney
What Are Reasonable Attorney Fees Under California Lemon Law?
How Much Does a Lemon Law Attorney Make on a Lawsuit?
How Much Does a Lemon Law Attorney Cost?
What are some tips if I think I have a Lemon Law claim?
Everything was done over the phone, and I got a great settlement. The Lemon Pros always called to update me on the status of the case. Very skilled and highly suggested.
The best attorneys I could’ve ever worked with. They were extremely knowledgeable and helpful. I don’t believe anyone could have done a better job than The Lemon Pros.
For my Ford, I was represented by The Lemon Pros. I am happy with the outcome. They refunded my money and helped me in getting out of this lemon.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I know if my vehicle qualifies as a “lemon” under the California lemon law?
Your Vehicle May Qualify Under The California Lemon Law If The Manufacturer’s Authorized Dealerships Have Been Unable To Repair A Defect With Your Vehicle After A Reasonable Number Of Attempts Within The Warranty Period.
What constitutes a “reasonable number” of repair attempts under the California lemon law?
The California Lemon Law Does Not Require A Specific Number Of Repair Attempts. The Reasonableness Of Repair Attempts Is Determined On A Case-By-Case Basis In Relation To The Severity Of The Defect. The Requirement May Also Be Satisfied If The Vehicle Is At The Repair Facility For Over 30 Days, Regardless Of The Number Of Repair Attempts.
Can my vehicle qualify under the California lemon law if it is leased or used?
Yes. Your Vehicle Can Qualify As A “Lemon” Under The California Lemon Law If Repair Attempts Were Made Within The Warranty Period.
What am I entitled to under the California lemon law?
The Buyer Of A “Lemon” Under The California Lemon Law Is Entitled To Receive The Value Of The Down Payment, Monthly Payments, And Full Loan Payoff. The Buyer May Also Recover Costs For Repairs, Towing, And Rental Cars. Alternatively, The Buyer May Elect To Receive A Similar Replacement Vehicle. The Manufacturer Is Entitled To A Statutory Mileage Offset For The Distance Driven From The Time Of Purchase To The First Repair Attempt. The Mileage Offset Applies To A Repurchase Or Replacement.
Do I have to pay anything up front?
No. The Fee Shifting Provision In The California Lemon Law Requires The Automobile Manufacturer To Pay For The Consumer’s Reasonably Incurred Attorneys’ Fees Costs, And Expenses. The California Lemon Law Allows Consumers To Pursue California Lemon Law Claims Even If Attorneys’ Fees And Costs Might Otherwise Prevent The Consumer From Bringing A Claim.
How do I know if my vehicle qualifies as a “lemon” under the California lemon law?
Your Vehicle May Qualify Under The California Lemon Law If The Manufacturer’s Authorized Dealerships Have Been Unable To Repair A Defect With Your Vehicle After A Reasonable Number Of Attempts Within The Warranty Period.
What constitutes a “reasonable number” of repair attempts under the California lemon law?
The California Lemon Law Does Not Require A Specific Number Of Repair Attempts. The Reasonableness Of Repair Attempts Is Determined On A Case-By-Case Basis In Relation To The Severity Of The Defect. The Requirement May Also Be Satisfied If The Vehicle Is At The Repair Facility For Over 30 Days, Regardless Of The Number Of Repair Attempts.
Can my vehicle qualify under the California lemon law if it is leased or used?
Yes. Your Vehicle Can Qualify As A “Lemon” Under The California Lemon Law If Repair Attempts Were Made Within The Warranty Period.
