Lemon Law Attorney Los Angeles CA

What is the Lemon Law and how does it Protect Consumers?

The lemon law, also known as the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, is a California state law that protects consumers who have purchased or leased a new or used motor vehicle that has a significant defect that substantially impairs the use and safety of their vehicle.

​

If a manufacturer or dealer is unable to fix the vehicle after a reasonable number of repair attempts, the state's lemon law process requires them to either replace the vehicle or refund the purchase price to the consumer.

​

Does California's Lemon Law Apply to All Vehicles?

California lemon laws are some of the most comprehensive lemon laws in the whole of the US and they apply to most vehicles, including cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, RVs, and recreational vehicles. This consumer protection law also covers leased and used vehicles as long as the vehicle purchased is still under warranty from the car manufacturer or licensed dealer, and it was not purchased from a private individual. This important consumer protection law covers defects or issues that seriously affect the vehicle's safety, performance, or value.

​

What Vehicles are NOT Covered?

It is important to note that certain types of vehicles are not covered by the Los Angeles CA lemon law. Vehicles purchased outside of the state of California fall outside of the lemon laws. Furthermore, vehicles used primarily for commercial purposes, such as delivery trucks and construction equipment, are usually not covered. And finally, if a serious defect occurs as a result of a car accident after the purchase of the vehicle, it won't qualify under the state's lemon law.

​

What is a Lemon Law Case?

A Lemon Law case is a legal dispute between a consumer and a manufacturer or dealership over a new or used vehicle that has significant defects or problems that cannot be repaired.

​

To qualify for a California lemon law claim, the vehicle must have been purchased or leased in California, and still be covered under the manufacturer's original warranty. Additionally, the consumer must have made a reasonable number of repair attempts (usually at least two).

​

Suppose you are experiencing problems with a new or certified pre-owned vehicle and you believe you may have ended up with a lemon. In that case, it is important that you keep track of all repair attempts and document any issues or defects you have experienced with the vehicle. A reputable lemon lawyer in Los Angeles can help you determine if you have a valid claim and advise you on the next steps to take.

​

What Defects Qualify under California's Lemon Law?

Not all defects qualify under the California lemon law, and although the state's laws are there to protect people you need to make sure that you are aware of the legal details.

​

A serious defect can be described as an ongoing issue that seriously affects the vehicle's value, safety, and performance and the vehicle defect can cause death or serious bodily injury if it is driven. These can include:

• Safety defects that affect the vehicle's ability to operate safely, such as faulty brakes, acceleration, or steering systems.

• Performance issues that significantly impair the vehicle's functionality or value, such as engine issues or transmission issues.

• Structural defects that affect the vehicle's frame or body, such as rust or corrosion that renders the vehicle unsafe or unusable.

• Repeatedly occurring problems that have not been fixed despite multiple repair attempts, such as electrical issues or problems with the vehicle's accessories, such as the air conditioning, or backup camera.

• Defects or issues that are covered by the manufacturer's warranty but have not been repaired after a reasonable number of attempts.
   

What Defects DO NOT Qualify under California Lemon Law?

Minor scratches, squeaks, cosmetic issues, or defects relating to driver abuse DO NOT qualify under the California lemon law.

​

The role of a Lemon Law Lawyer in Los Angeles, CA

If you are experiencing problems with a new or used vehicle that you believe may qualify as a lemon, hiring a lemon law lawyer can be a valuable step in protecting your consumer rights and seeking fair compensation.

​

California lemon law attorneys are legal professionals who specialize in representing consumers in lemon law claims. All reputable lemon lawyers provide customers with a free consultation to assess the validity of their case and advice them about their defective vehicle.

​

Lemon law lawyers can also provide a variety of other important services such as:
 

Negotiating with the Manufacturer or Dealership

Lemon law attorneys can effectively communicate with the other party on your behalf, and try to reach a settlement outside of court. This may involve negotiating for a replacement vehicle or a full refund of the purchase price, as well as any additional damages or expenses you may have incurred due to the defective vehicle. Lemon law experts can also protect customers against aggressive representation and negotiate on their behalf in front of the Los Angeles Superior Court.

​

Assisting with the Lemon Law Claim Process

California lemon law lawyers can help you gather and organize evidence to support your case, such as collating repair records and documentation of any issues or defects with the vehicle. They can also advise you on the legal requirements for filing a claim and help you understand your consumer rights and options. Most lemon law lawyers offer a free consultation to their customers.

​

Providing Legal Representation in Court

If negotiations with the manufacturer or dealership are unsuccessful, lemon law lawyers can represent you in court and advocate for your rights. By working with lemon law experts in Los Angeles, you can significantly increase your chances of a successful outcome and receive the compensation you deserve.

​

Who Pays the Lemon Law Attorney's Fees?

Many lemon law claims stall because consumers are unsure about who is responsible for paying the lemon lawyers' legal fees, and many wrongly assume that it is their responsibility.

​

According to Los Angeles County lemon law, if the manufacturer or dealership is found to have violated the law and the consumer prevails in the case, the manufacturer or dealership must pay the consumer's reasonable legal fees and costs. This means that if you win, the other party will be required to pay the lemon law attorney fees in addition to any other damages or compensation you are awarded.

​

It is important to note that the laws regarding fees in lemon cases may vary from state to state. The Los Angeles lemon law generally requires the manufacturer or dealership to pay the consumer's lemon law attorney fees in full if the consumer prevails in the case. However, it is always advisable to discuss legal fees with your lemon law lawyer before hiring them to represent you.

​

Requirements for Filing a California Lemon Law Claim

When it comes to filing a claim, there are certain requirements that must be met in order to be eligible for a replacement vehicle or a full refund of the purchase price. These requirements vary from state to state, but in Los Angeles, California, the main requirements for filing a lemon law claim include:

​

The Number of Repair Attempts

In order to qualify for lemon law protection, the consumer must have made a reasonable number of repair attempts (usually at least two) to fix the defects or issues with the vehicle. The number of repair attempts that is considered "reasonable" will depend on the specific circumstances of the case, including the severity of the defects and the impact they have on the vehicle's safety, performance, or value. Alternatively, the vehicle may qualify if it has been in the repair shop for more than 30 days (not necessarily in a row) for the repairs of any problems covered by its warranty.

​

The Length of Ownership

The lemon law in Los Angeles County applies to vehicles that are within a certain period of ownership, during one of the original warranties. If the defects or issues with the vehicle occurred outside of this timeframe, the law may not apply and you need to seek legal advice to establish your rights.

​

Warranty Coverage

To qualify for a lemon law claim in Los Angeles, the defective vehicle must still be covered under the manufacturer's original warranty at the time the defects arose. Vehicles that had warranty repairs during the warranty that still experience those same problems after the warranty expires also can qualify under the Los Angeles lemon law.

​

Purchased or Leased in California

Only vehicles purchased or leased in the state of California fall under the protection of the state's lemon law.

​

Taking Advantage of Your Consumer Protection Rights

Filing a lemon law claim can be a complex process, and very often this can prove too overwhelming for consumers to pursue a claim.

​

However, the good news is that there are excellent resources available out there to help consumers and Los Angeles County is home to a number of highly respected lemon law attorneys to fight your corner.

Don't let a faulty vehicle ruin your driving experience! Take advantage of the consumer protection laws offered in Los Angeles CA and seek a refund or replacement vehicle with the help of lemon law experts. The lemon law is there to help you and therefore, it is important to assert your rights as a consumer and hold manufacturers and dealers accountable for selling or leasing faulty vehicles.

​

Why Choose The Beck Law Office to Represent You?

Our reputable lemon law attorney firm has over a decade of experience in serving Los Angeles County and successfully applying lemon law protection to hundreds of claims. We proudly operate in and around Los Angeles, San Francisco, Santa Monica, and the Golden State of California.

​

Our firm specializes in lemon law cases and we have extensive experience in representing our clients' interests through litigation or negotiation of settlements. We work hard to ensure that our lemon law consumers win their cases, receive full refunds or replacements vehicles, and obtain any other appropriate compensation due to them. This high standard of consistency has earned us a reputation as the most trusted lemon law attorney Los Angeles County can offer.

​

Our Promise To You

We pride ourselves on our excellent attorney-client relationship and we always go the extra mile for all our clients, ensuring that they receive the best possible outcome and the compensation they deserve.

​

Our skilled lawyers at The Beck Law Office have the expertise, experience, and competence to go toe-to-toe and represent you against some of the largest vehicle manufacturers and dealerships in Los Angeles. You can have full confidence in our capability to succeed in your lemon law claim and represent you to the best of our ability.

​

Contact Us Today

If you require expert help in your lemon law case, don't hesitate to contact us for a free consultation. We will readily review your case and advise you of your legal options and discuss with you where California lemon law applies.

​

Let us help you get the justice you deserve in a quick, friendly, and efficient manner.

​