At Shainfeld Law, P.C., our California lemon law attorney explains to each of our prospective clients during a free consultation that multiple factors will affect their claim.
They include whether the vehicle is new or used, and is still under the manufacturer’s warranty, the nature of the defect, the proof of repair attempts, and the experience of their California lemon law attorney.
Here is what California consumers need to know about filing a lemon law claim.
Factor One: Is Your Vehicle Still Under the Manufacturer’s Warranty?
New vehicles often come equipped with a manufacturer’s warranty.
Used cars, however, may or may not.
For a used vehicle to qualify for the California lemon law, the car must be under a:
- Certified Pre-Owned Warranty
- Transferred New Car Warranty
- Lemon Law Buyback Warranty
Our skilled California lemon law attorney can help you determine if your vehicle is covered by a qualifying warranty.
Factor Two: What is the Nature of the Vehicle’s Defect?
A California lemon law claim requires a vehicle’s defect to impact the car’s safety, value, or use.
In these cases, there are potentially limitless defects that can qualify for a lemon law claim. Whether it is a faulty transmission or an electrical issue, the qualifying point is that the defect exists and a mechanic cannot fix the problem.
Factor Three: Proof of the Repair Attempts
It is not enough to say, “My car is a lemon” to qualify for relief. We must prove that you made “reasonable attempts” to have a dealership or mechanic repair the defect.
To help strengthen your case, keep all repair receipts, work orders, and used parts from each repair appointment.
Factor Four: Partnering With An Experienced California Lemon Law Attorney
If you purchase a defective vehicle in California, you are legally entitled to a refund, or replacement vehicle at a manufacturer’s expense.
And while it is not required to pursue a claim, partnering with an experienced lemon law attorney in California will allow you to pursue the remedy you are entitled to by law.
That includes pursuing the vehicle’s manufacturer to:
- Repurchase your vehicle
- Replace your vehicle
- Negotiate a cash settlement for your vehicle
When can help pursue the outcome you deserve, as California lemon law cases are our only legal focus, which is reflected by our 99% success rate.
The Length Of Time It Takes To Resolve A California Lemon Law May Depend On Several Factors.
One of the major factors is the complexity of your unique case.
If your vehicle has multiple defects, or if there is a dispute about the cause of the defect, the manufacturer may be more resistant to settling your claim. This means we must present all the necessary evidence to ensure they cooperate with the process, so you can achieve the desired result.
If your lemon law claim is straightforward and there are no disputes about the nature or cause of the defects, it may be resolved relatively quickly.
Another major factor is the evidence and documentation we have to support your claim.
Before we get started on your California lemon law claim, we will want to review all the evidence, including repair invoices, work orders, service reports, and any other relevant documents, and a timeline and consumer journal on how the vehicle’s defects have impacted their safety and use of the vehicle.
The other major factor in resolving your lemon law claim quickly is whether the manufacturer is cooperating with our negotiations.
Resistance from a vehicle manufacturer is not uncommon. This is especially true when consumers attempt to pursue a claim on their own. We can help speed things up.
Having a complete and well-organized file can help expedite the review and evaluation of your lemon law case by the manufacturer or dealer.
If you are experiencing ongoing mechanical trouble with a vehicle that is still under its manufacturer’s warranty in California, contact our experienced Los Angeles Lemon Law attorney at Shainfeld Law, P.C., today by calling 888-567-2279 or request a free consultation online.