San Diego's
Car Accident Attorneys
San Diego's
Car Accident Attorneys
Understanding California Lemon Law
What is Lemon Law?
The California Lemon Law, formally known as the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, is designed to protect consumers who purchase or lease new vehicles that fail to meet the standards of quality and performance. This law mandates that if a manufacturer cannot repair a vehicle after a reasonable number of attempts, the consumer is entitled to a full refund or a replacement vehicle. Additionally, if the consumer prevails, the manufacturer must cover all attorney fees and legal costs.
Defining a “Lemon”
A vehicle is considered a "lemon" if it has substantial defects affecting its use, value, or safety that persist despite a reasonable number of repair attempts. California law specifically addresses these situations, ensuring that consumers are compensated fairly.
Key Aspects of the California Lemon Law
1. Reasonable Repair Attempts: If your new vehicle has significant defects that the manufacturer or its authorized dealers cannot fix after multiple attempts, it might qualify as a lemon.
2. Eligible Vehicles: The law covers new cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, and even some used and leased vehicles if they are still under the manufacturer’s warranty.
3. Time and Mileage: Generally, the defects must be reported within 18 months of delivery or 18,000 miles on the odometer, whichever comes first. However, issues arising outside this period might still be eligible under other consumer protection laws.
Your Rights Under California Lemon Law
If your vehicle qualifies as a lemon, you are entitled to one of the following remedies:
Full Refund: The manufacturer must refund the purchase price, including down payments, monthly payments, and any incidental costs such as towing and rental car fees.
Replacement Vehicle: The manufacturer must provide a vehicle of the same model and type, without any additional cost to you.
Handling Repairs and Documentation
Keep Detailed Records: Maintain all repair orders, receipts, and correspondence with the dealer or manufacturer. These documents are crucial in proving your lemon law case.
Notify the Manufacturer: Inform the manufacturer about the persistent issues in writing and give them a final opportunity to repair the defects.
If the Dealer Refuses to Repair
If the dealer or manufacturer refuses to perform necessary repairs, you may have a valid lemon law claim. The warranty obligates them to address defects, and failure to do so can strengthen your case.
Breach of Warranty
A breach of warranty occurs when the manufacturer fails to honor the terms of the warranty. While similar to a lemon law case, the criteria and remedies might differ. Consult with a qualified attorney to explore your options.
Legal Representation and Costs
At Hariri Law Group, we understand the frustration of dealing with a lemon vehicle. Our experienced attorneys can help you navigate the complexities of lemon law claims. If we take your case, there are no out-of-pocket costs to you. We will seek to recover all legal fees from the manufacturer, ensuring that our services are provided at no cost to you.
Steps to Take if You Have a Lemon
1. Review Your Warranty: Understand the terms and conditions of your vehicle’s warranty.
2. Attempt Resolution: Try to resolve the issue with your dealer first.
3. Contact Us: If the problem persists, reach out to Hariri Law Group for a free case evaluation. We will work swiftly to resolve your claim with the manufacturer. If necessary, we will file a lawsuit to seek compensation under the lemon law.
How Hariri Law Group Can Help
Our firm has successfully represented numerous clients in San Diego and throughout California, obtaining favorable settlements and relief under the California Lemon Law. We are dedicated to protecting your rights and ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve.
Contact us at Hariri Law Group to discuss your lemon law rights and how we can assist you. Call us at (858) 345-6289 or complete our free case evaluation form. Let us help you get back on the road with confidence.
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LOCATIONS
Downtown: 401 W A St, San Diego, CA 92101
Pacific Heights Blvd: 9920 Pacific Heights Blvd UNIT 150, San Diego, CA 92121
High Bluff Drive: 12526 High Bluff Dr, San Diego, CA 92130
available from 10:00 – 19:00
We are a full service Personal Injury Law Firm with offices in Downtown San Diego and Carmel Valley. Reach out and an experienced attorney will be ready to provide a free consultation for your case.
LOCATAIONS
Downtown: 401 W A St, San Diego, CA 92101
Pacific Heights Blvd: 9920 Pacific Heights Blvd UNIT 150, San Diego, CA 92121
High Bluff Drive: 12526 High Bluff Dr, San Diego, CA 92130
HOURS
- Monday - Friday:
- 8:00AM - 6:00PM