Breaking down on the side of the road, calling repair shops again and again, and being late for work because the car won’t start. These are all common experiences for the unfortunate few that end up with a lemon. When they purchased or leased the vehicle, they had no idea it would become a marathon of attempted repairs. Only after do they realize the bitter truth: they bought a lemon!
The good part is that there are legal remedies available. You may have bought a defective car, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with it forever. Here we’ll discuss the Lemon Law Bay Area enforces and the best ways to secure your deserved compensation.
Introduction to Lemon Law in the Bay Area
The Lemon Law protects consumers who buy cars that turn out to have recurring problems. The law ensures that the manufacturer either fixes the car or returns the money used to buy the vehicle.
In the Bay Area and throughout California, the lemon law encompasses both new and used vehicles. It covers not only purchased cars, but leased vehicles as well. The law states that if the car exhibits a notable defect that the dealer or automaker can’t fix after several tries, it qualifies as a lemon. Once it qualifies, you have the option to receive a new car as a replacement or your money back.
If you bought your vehicle within California, you have these rights. However, it sometimes gets difficult to exercise these rights on your own due to pushback from the manufacturer. As a result, you’ll want to have a San Francisco Lemon Law attorney in your corner, because they know how to make carmakers adhere to the rules.
Signs and Symptoms of a Defective Vehicle
The big question now is, how do you know if your car is a lemon? To answer that, here are some common signs:
- Recurring Mechanical Issues: You may have taken your vehicle to the dealer multiple times. These visits could be for the same issue or different issues, as long as they haven’t been able to be fixed. This is a major red flag as the problems may involve the engine, transmission, brakes, or electrical system.
- Safety Concerns: Some defects may affect your safety as well as the safety of other drivers. Such issues include faulty brakes, malfunctioning airbags, unresponsive steering, etc. In such situations, you may need fewer visits to qualify.
- Constant Check Engine Light: Many complain about the check engine light always remaining on. Even after the dealer attempts repairs, this light still doesn’t go off, which usually implies a sign of a deeper problem.
- Unreliable Performance: As mentioned earlier, many vehicles break down on the side of the road. If your car keeps stalling or has trouble starting, it’s unreliable, which means it could be a lemon.
- Repeated Trips to the Repair Shop Without Results: Have you taken the car to the dealership to fix an issue at least 2-4 times? Does your car spend more time at the dealership than on the road? Do the repair attempts provide any long-term solutions to your complaints? IF you suspect that you have a lemon, it’s time to start talking with the skilled Lemon Law lawyers Bay Area can provide.
The Legal Process of Filing a Lemon Law Claim
Filing a Lemon Law claim may seem scary at first, but with a lawyer’s help, it’s not that difficult. Here’s what it entails in simple terms:
- You first speak with a qualified Lemon Law attorney. They listen to your story, review your vehicle’s repair history, and determine if you have a valid claim.
- If your lawyer thinks you have a case, they’ll write a letter to the carmaker. This letter says you believe you own a lemon car and want them to make it right. It will also include your preferred settlement method.
- On receiving the letter, the carmaker might offer to settle. This means they may offer some money or a new car to avoid going to court. Your attorney will then negotiate with them to ensure the settlement offer is worth the troubles you endured with the vehicle.
- If the automaker refuses to up their offer, your attorney may then file a lawsuit, wherein a court decides if the car indeed is a lemon. However, most cases get settled without ever reaching the courts.
- Once you win the case, you’ll sign some documents and receive your deserved compensation, whether it’s money, a new car, or the automaker buying back the vehicle.
Benefits of Hiring a Lemon Lawyer
Many people wonder if they can handle the Lemon Law claim on their own. While possible, several benefits come with hiring a professional Lemon Law firm.
One such benefit is that lawyers specializing in the specific Lemon Law San Francisco follows understand the intricacies and loopholes. They can tell if your case is strong, and point out where the automakers would try to poke holes in your story. The lemon law can be confusing for the layman, and having a lemon lawyer helps diffuse this confusion. They explain in clear terms what the process entails, helping you negotiate a fair deal and taking your case to court where necessary.
Lastly, many lemon lawyers, including the legal team at Quill & Arrow, work on contingency. As such, they don’t get paid unless you win the case. Even when you do win, they get their fees paid by the automaker, saving you the financial burden of paying legal fees. In short, a lemon lawyer makes the whole process smoother, easier, and more successful without adding any financial pressure.
What Success Looks Like in Lemon Law Cases
Success in a Lemon Law case can take different forms, depending on your situation. Here are some expected outcomes:
- Vehicle Buyback: The automaker may buy back the defective vehicle. You would get a refund of your down payment, loan payments, registration fees, and even loan interest.
- Replacement Car: You may get a new vehicle similar to the defective one. This option is suitable if you still like the car model but want one without defects.
- Cash Settlement: This offer is for those who wish to keep the vehicle. They receive a cash settlement to compensate for the car’s diminished value and repair costs.
- Attorney Fees Covered: Generally, the Lemon Law in San Francisco allows consumers to seek legal counsel with no upfront costs. If the case is successful, the manufacturer pays the attorney’s fees.
Secure Your Preferred Compensation Today
Always have it in the back of your mind that owning a lemon car is not the norm. So, you must act on it immediately after discovering your vehicle is defective. You don’t have to put up with the inconveniences associated with such cars as the lemon law is on your side.
All you need is a good understanding of the law and a skilled attorney from Quill & Arrow LLP to secure the best possible outcome. Whether it’s a new vehicle, a refund, or a cash settlement, the Lemon Law gives you remedy options. Take action today and get back on the road with a car you trust.
Media Contact:
Carlo V. DeFalco
Carlo@ecustomsolutions.com
eCustom Solutions