How Long Does a California Lemon Law Case Take? 2024

If you have recently purchased or leased a vehicle that you can’t seem to keep out of the shop for repairs, you might have a lemon on your hands. These situations are exceedingly frustrating and can be a financial burden on your pocketbook and keep you from having dependable transportation to work, school, or other daily life tasks. When thinking about filing a claim, you might wonder, “How long does a California Lemon Law case take?”

At Lemon Law Pro, our team of seasoned attorneys is passionate about ensuring you receive compensation in a timely and efficient manner. These legal proceedings can be complex and time-consuming. It is important to hire an attorney who can work to ensure the process goes as quickly and smoothly as possible to get you back on the roadways in a dependable vehicle for transportation. Let us help and educate you on the Lemon Law process.

What Constitutes a Lemon Vehicle in California?

In the state of California, a vehicle may be considered a lemon if it is suffering certain defects that affect its overall safety, value, and use and cause it to be in the shop for repairs over a “reasonable” number of times. Your vehicle must also be under a written warranty in order to qualify under California Lemon Law. This can include dealer demonstration vehicles, certified pre-owned models, or any other car, truck, SUV, or motorized vehicle that has already seen use.

Under the California Lemon Law, there is no exact number of “reasonable” repairs that must take place before the vehicle can be deemed a lemon. However, a few guidelines have been established that can help determine if your vehicle has surpassed a “reasonable” number of attempted repairs.

Under the California Lemon Law, these guidelines are as follows:

• The manufacturer of the car or the car dealership has not been able to accurately address and fix the issue after several attempts to do so
• The issues suffered by the vehicle could result in death or serious bodily injury if driven after just two attempts to address and fix the problems
• The vehicle has been to the manufacturer or car dealership for repairs lasting for longer than 30 days for issues that are covered by the warranty

What Settlements Might Be Available to You in a California Lemon Law Case

Depending on the nature and severity of the defect your lemon vehicle is suffering, there are a few types of settlements you might be entitled to under California Lemon Law. These can include:

• Vehicle Refund or Buyback: There are cases in which the car manufacturer will simply buy back your vehicle or offer you a refund, along with paying you back for your down payment and any monthly payments you have already made against your loan or lease, and pay off the rest of said loan or lease. They can also pay any remaining collateral expenses from your pocket.
• Vehicle Replacement: When you are offered damage recovery in the form of a vehicle replacement, the manufacturing company of your vehicle will take the vehicle back and grant you another one of a similar make and model to the one you originally purchased.
• Cash Settlement: In these kinds of settlements, the manufacturer of your vehicle can agree to pay you a cash settlement in order to reimburse you for all the costs you incurred while dealing with your lemon vehicle. Under these kinds of settlements, you then have the choice to either keep, sell, or trade your vehicle in.

It is important to keep in mind that not all vehicles qualify as lemons. If your vehicle is not registered with the California DMV, has been abused or neglected, damaged in a collision, or enhanced with any off-market components, these vehicles will not qualify.

Factors Impacting a Lemon Law Claim in California

There are several factors that might impact the amount of time it takes for your California Lemon Law claim to reach a satisfactory settlement. These factors can include the following:

• The complexity of the case overall
• The cooperation of your lemon vehicle’s manufacturing company
• The strength of the evidence demonstrating that your vehicle is a lemon

California Lemon Law FAQs

Q: Do I Need an Attorney for a Lemon Law Claim in California?

A: No, in the state of California you are not required to retain the services of an attorney in order to file a claim for compensation in a Lemon Law case. However, having the counsel and support of an attorney during these cases can give you the greatest chance at success in the outcome of your claim.

Q: How Much Money Can You Get from a Lemon Law Claim in California?

A: In the state of California, it can be difficult to offer an exact estimate as to how much your Lemon Law claim might be worth. This is because there are several factors involved that could impact the final value of your settlement. These factors include the make, model, age, purchase price, and mileage of the vehicle, the condition of the vehicle, and the nature of the issue your vehicle is suffering from.

Q: How Much Will a Lawyer Charge for a Lemon Law Claim in California?

A: At Lemon Law Pro, our clients can rest easy knowing that not a single dime will come out of their personal pocket to pay for attorney fees or court costs involved in their Lemon Law claim. Instead, the manufacturer of the care will be responsible for all costs incurred during the legal proceedings of the Lemon Law compensation claim.

Q: What Is the Time Limit for Filing a Lemon Law Claim in California?

A: In the state of California, if an individual believes they have a lemon vehicle on their hands, they must operate under a certain time frame when filing a claim for compensation. This time frame often states that the individual must file a claim within the first 18 months after the delivery of the vehicle or within the first 18,000 miles it is driven under the new ownership, whichever comes first.

Contact a Skilled California Lemon Law Attorney Today

If you or someone you know has recently purchased or leased a vehicle that you suspect might be a lemon, it’s time to contact a skilled California Lemon Law attorney who can assist clients statewide.

At Lemon Law Pro, we are passionate about representing clients free of charge and assisting them in getting back on the roads safely and in a cost-effective manner. Contact the offices of Lemon Law Pro today for more information.