How much does a Lemon Law attorney cost in California? What percentage do they usually take? Is it worth it? This blog answers all of those questions and more.
California’s Lemon Law ensures that consumers who buy or lease defective vehicles, or “lemons,” receive the compensation they deserve. Navigating this legal process, however, can be overwhelming without professional guidance. A skilled Lemon Law attorney can make a huge difference in the success of your claim.
Many people hesitate to hire a Lemon Law lawyer because they assume legal help is unaffordable. That’s often not the case, especially in California given the fact that legal fees are almost always covered by the manufacturer. Most lemon law attorneys take cases on contingency (this means you have no fees unless you win). The average cost for a lawyer is around $400 to $600 an hour, but again this is paid by the manufacturer.
The award-winning Lemon Law attorneys at The Lemon Pros can help you get the compensation you deserve without having to come out of pocket. Schedule a free consultation and let’s assess your case.
Keep reading for factors that influence attorney fees for a Lemon Law claim and everything you need to know about California’s Lemon Law.
The Lemon Law protects consumers who lease or buy a defective vehicle, also known as a lemon. In California, the Lemon Law comprises the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty and the Tanner Consumer Protection Act (California Civil Code Section 1793.22).
Under California Lemon Law, the manufacturer is required to compensate the consumer by replacing the defective vehicle, refunding the vehicle’s purchase price to the consumer, or providing cash compensation to account for the diminished value of the vehicle. If your car is a lemon, the manufacturer may give you a new replacement vehicle that is free from issues and equivalent in value to the defective vehicle. On the other hand, the manufacturer may refund you the purchase price of the vehicle, plus other mandatory charges such as registration and tax. You can also decide to keep the vehicle and negotiate cash compensation for the reduced value of the vehicle caused by the defects.
However, what are the criteria for a vehicle to be considered a lemon? A vehicle is considered defective if it has a significant issue that affects the vehicle’s value, safety, or use. Additionally, the defect must be such that the manufacturer or dealership could not repair it after a reasonable number of attempts. The number of attempts that are considered reasonable may vary across different jurisdictions, also depending on how long the dealership holds the car for repair.
The California Lemon Law covers both new and used vehicles (bought or leased) that are still under the manufacturer’s warranty. Vehicles covered under the Lemon Law include cars, trucks, boats, SUVs, motorcycles, chassis, chassis cabs, drive trains of motor homes, dealer-owned vehicles, and demonstrators.
However, not all vehicle defects are covered under the California Lemon Law. Essentially, the law covers defects that affect the use of a vehicle, its safety, or its value. The type of defects covered by the Lemon Law include mechanical issues – engine failure, overheating engine, hard starting, faulty transmission system, etc., safety issues such as faulty brakes, airbag malfunctions, seat belt issues, defective headlamps, etc.
In California, mostLemon Law attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay if you win or settle your case. No upfront payment is required, which makes it easier for consumers to get legal help without worrying about cost.
To make legal support more accessible, in many successful Lemon Law cases, the vehicle manufacturer is required to cover your attorney’s fees and legal costs. This provision ensures that legal representation is accessible to consumers, even against powerful car companies.
While contingency fees are most common, here’s a quick overview of typical fee arrangements in Lemon Law cases:
The attorney takes a percentage of your award or settlement. This is agreed upon in writing before the case begins.
In many California Lemon Law cases, the manufacturer pays your legal costs directly if you win.
While it's rare, some attorneys may still bill by the hour in Lemon Law cases. Remember to always review the retainer agreement to understand what you’ll owe—and when.
Alternatively, if you win your Lemon Law case, California Lemon Law may mandate that the manufacturer pay your attorney fees and other legal costs. The idea of this provision is to make sure that high legal fees do not discourage consumers from hiring Lemon Law attorneys for their Lemon Law cases. Ultimately, you should discuss the terms of payment with your Lemon Law attorney before initiating your case.
Although the manufacturer covers attorney costs sometimes, you still need to understand the various factors that determine the overall cost of hiring a Lemon Law attorney.Some of these factors include:
If your case involves litigation rather than an out-of-court settlement, expect higher fees due to court appearances, discovery, and more extended timelines.
Yes, because skilled attorneys not only handle the legal work but also increase the chances of winning a higher settlement or refund. Plus, if your attorney works on a contingency basis and the manufacturer is responsible for fees, you may not pay out of pocket at all.
Hiring an experienced California Lemon Law attorney like The Lemon Pros can help you save time, reduce stress, and secure a better outcome.
Knowing how fee structures work empowers you to make informed decisions. If a lawyer’s fees come from the settlement or are paid by themanufacturer, you can move forward confidently without fearing any surprise costs.
Most Lemon Law attorneys in California offer free consultations. Use this opportunity to:
While hiring a lawyer is often expensive, that’s mostly not the case. Under most state Lemon Laws, the manufacturer—not the consumer—is responsible for paying the attorney’s fees. This means you can typically access quality legal help without worrying about upfront costs. If you’re thinking about filing a Lemon Law claim, your first step should be to speak with a qualified attorney to evaluate the strength of your case.
Working with an experienced California-based legal team like The Lemon Pros’ Beverly Hills office can also help speed up the process of securing a favorable settlement from the manufacturer or dealership. Their lawyers know how to navigate complex negotiations and won't let you settle for less than what you deserve.
At The Lemon Pros, you pay nothing upfront—their services are free to the consumer. Schedule your free consultation today and trust a skilled Lemon Law lawyer to protect your rights and hold the manufacturer accountable.
Lemon Law attorneys in California typically charge a contingency fee of 33% to 40% of the settlement. In many cases, the manufacturer is required to directly pay the attorney’s fees.
No. Most Lemon Law attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless they win your case.
California Lemon Law covers new and used vehicles under the manufacturer’s warranty that have significant defects affecting their use, value, or safety (source).
Yes. Motorcycles are covered under California’s Lemon Law if they are under the manufacturer’s warranty and meet the substantial defect threshold (source).
Yes. You may be offered a cash-and-keep settlement, which allows you to keep the vehicle and receive compensation for the diminished value (source).
A vehicle qualifies as a lemon if it has a substantial defect that persists after a reasonable number of repair attempts and impairs its use, value, or safety.
The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act is the foundation of California’s Lemon Law, giving consumers the right to a refund or replacement if their vehicle meets lemon criteria.
You generally have four years from the time you first discover the defect to file a Lemon Law claim. However, it's best to act quickly.
If the dealership is uncooperative, a qualified Lemon Law attorney can help enforce your rights and negotiate directly with the manufacturer.
No, you typically don’t pay attorney fees out of pocket. Under California’s Lemon Law, the manufacturer is usually responsible for covering your legal fees if your claim is successful.
While it’s possible to handle a Lemon Law claim on your own, hiring a California Lemon Law attorney can significantly improve your chances of success. They know how to deal with manufacturers, gather evidence, and make sure you’re fully compensated.
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