When the new vehicle you’ve purchased or leased begins to suffer serious warranty-covered problems that the manufacturer can’t seem to fix even after multiple trips to the shop, your vehicle may qualify for protection under California’s Lemon Law. The law may entitle you to recover Lemon Law compensation for what you’ve spent on the car and your legal fees from pursuing your claim.
An experienced California Lemon Law attorney from The Barry Law Firm can help you understand what kinds of compensation a Lemon Law claim may provide you based on the facts of your case. We have focused exclusively on the Lemon Law since 2010, helping thousands of California consumers hold auto manufacturers accountable and secure fair compensation. And we never charge for our services, no matter the outcome of the case.
Contact us today for a FAST & FREE consultation to discuss your situation and learn more about your options.
What Is a Lemon, and How Does the Lemon Law Protect Me?
Under California’s Lemon Law, a vehicle may qualify as a lemon if it has a serious issue affecting its use, safety, or value that the manufacturer or an authorized dealer fails to fix after a reasonable number of repair attempts. The issue must be covered by the manufacturer’s original warranty and start while the warranty period is still active.
A vehicle defect may warrant a Lemon Law claim after the manufacturer or their authorized dealer has made a reasonable number of repair attempts. What is considered a “reasonable” number of repair attempts can vary depending on the facts of the case.
The Lemon Law protects vehicle owners and lessees by providing them with options for financial relief if their vehicle qualifies as a lemon under the law. This includes the right to demand that the manufacturer buy back the vehicle and refund their costs related to owning the faulty vehicle. Owners and lessees may seek a settlement with a manufacturer or, if they cannot reach a fair settlement, take their Lemon Law claim to court.
Typical Lemon Law Settlements in California
There is no true “average” Lemon Law settlement in San Diego. Instead, settlements for Lemon Law claims in California will vary significantly based on various factors, including the vehicle’s value and mileage, the loan or lease payments made, and any expenses the owner or lessee had to pay because of the vehicle’s problems.
Compensation in a California Lemon Law settlement can include:
- The purchase or lease price, including the down payment, monthly loan or lease payments, and the remaining balance of the car loan
- Collateral charges, including sales or use taxes, license and registration fees, and other official fees
- Out-of-pocket costs, including repairs, towing, and rental cars or other alternative transportation
- Attorney’s fees and costs, as required by California’s Lemon Law
The manufacturer has the right to a mileage offset for the miles you used the vehicle before the problem started. The Barry Law Firm can help you determine what mileage offset may apply to your claim.
Because the law requires manufacturers to pay an owner’s or lessee’s legal expenses, you can recover 100 percent of your actual damages in a successful Lemon Law claim. All attorney fees and legal costs are paid directly by the manufacturer – never out of your recovery. And as a client of The Barry Law Firm, you never pay us for our services, regardless of the outcome of your claim.
While knowing the “average” Lemon Law settlement in California won’t tell you what to expect, an experienced Lemon Law attorney at The Barry Law Firm can. When you meet us for your free consultation, we will review your case and determine what compensation you may be entitled to recover.
You Can Calculate an Estimate for a Buyback!
If you think you have a lemon, you can use The Barry Law Firm’s California Lemon Law Buyback Calculator to estimate how much money you might expect to receive in a Lemon Law case. Our calculator estimates an owner’s or lessee’s refund under California law based on their vehicle’s make and model, down payment, monthly payments, remaining balance, mileage, and collateral and incidental costs. Try it today to determine what you could potentially recover in a California Lemon Law claim!
Keep in mind that our buyback calculator only provides estimates. Each case is unique, and no specific refund amount or results can be guaranteed. One of our skilled Lemon Law attorneys can give you a better idea of what to expect in your free consultation.
How Can Hiring a Lemon Law Attorney Serving San Diego Help My Case?
Hiring a seasoned Lemon Law attorney can help avoid the stress of dealing with auto manufacturers that may try to give you the runaround. Having legal representation also shows your vehicle’s manufacturer that you take your Lemon Law claim seriously and will fight for everything they owe you.
A lawyer can help you pursue your claim and demand fair compensation by:
- Assembling documentation supporting that your vehicle qualifies as a lemon, including repair records documenting the nature of your vehicle’s issue and the number of repair attempts the manufacturer or their authorized dealer has made
- Calculating your car payments, collateral charges, and expenses due to your car’s issues to determine what a fair settlement may look like in your Lemon Law claim
- Preparing you for what to expect in a Lemon Law case and handling every step of the process from start to finish
- Vigorously pursuing the financial recovery you deserve, whether through negotiating a settlement with the manufacturer or by taking your case to court, if needed
Call Today for a Free Consultation!
When you own a vehicle that has a serious warranty-covered defect that the manufacturer or their authorized dealer cannot fix after a reasonable number of attempts, you may qualify for financial compensation under the state’s Lemon Law. At The Barry Law Firm, we can help you demand all of your money back if you have been sold a defective vehicle, and you will never see a bill from us. Contact us today for a fast, free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced attorney to learn more about what compensation you might recover in a Lemon Law settlement in California.
