Santa Cruz and Monterey Lemon Law Attorney

Santa Cruz and Monterey Lemon Law Lawyer

If you recently purchased a new or used vehicle in Santa Cruz and are experiencing consistent complications, you may have unknowingly purchased a lemon: a newly leased or purchased warranty-covered vehicle with continuous defects that substantially diminish its safety, value, or drivability. If you believe you have a Lemon Law claim, consider hiring a Santa Cruz Lemon Law attorney. The Lemon Laws aim to legally protect consumers from being stuck with a lemon.

At Lemon Law Pro, we provide clients with free legal services as they take advantage of the California Lemon Law. Our legal team is made up of experienced, qualified lawyers and detail-oriented support staff. In addition, we have access to expert witnesses who can provide crucial evidence in order for your claim to succeed. From the initial claim filing to the end of the case, we can handle every aspect of your Lemon Law claim at no cost to you.

Understanding California’s Lemon Law

California’s Lemon Law ensures manufacturers follow a strict protocol for the consumer’s sake. The Lemon Laws apply to both new and used cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, and some motorhome components that are still under the manufacturer’s warranty. As long as the vehicle is state-registered, it does not matter why it was purchased.

Lemon Laws go into effect once a reasonable number of attempts at repair have been made, as defined by the Lemon Law presumption. This presumption applies if the issues are manufacturer warranty-covered, have arisen within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, significantly reduce the vehicle’s value, safety, and usability, or are severe enough to cause death or serious bodily injury.

Lemon Law Claims

Once a Lemon claim is made, negotiations begin between the consumer, their lawyer, and the manufacturer. If a settlement cannot be reached, arbitration is the next viable option. During arbitration, an impartial third party comes in to assess whether sufficient attempts at repair have been made to fix the vehicle.

The arbitrator determines appropriate next steps, such as additional repairs, a total vehicle replacement, refunds, and/or reimbursement for ancillary expenses like rental cars or towing. This process is much quicker and less expensive than court proceedings.

Lemon Law settlements can be distributed in the form of a replacement or refund paid by the manufacturer. The reimbursement covers all costs associated with the purchase, including down payment, monthly payments, taxes, and attorney fees.

The formula for a refund amount (a buyback) is complex and is most easily handled by a Santa Cruz Lemon Law attorney. California’s Lemon Law buyback formula calculates a mileage deduction using miles driven divided by 120,000, multiplied by the vehicle’s purchase price. This deduction is then subtracted from the buyback payout.

Preparing for a Lemon Law Claim in Santa Cruz

If you are preparing to file a Lemon Law claim in Santa Cruz, you should adhere to the following:

1. Know your rights. It’s important to familiarize yourself with California’s Lemon Law so that you know exactly what you are entitled to when negotiating with manufacturers.
2. Manage your documents. Gather relevant documentation and correspondence with the manufacturer, such as repair records and purchase or lease agreements. These documents serve as evidence to support your claim and strengthen your negotiating position.
3. Quantify the damages. Calculate the amount of losses you’ve incurred due to the vehicle’s defects, such as repair expenses, towing, or rental car fees.
4. Seek legal representation. Hire a Santa Cruz Lemon Law attorney who has experience in buyback cases. Your attorney can thoroughly review any buyback offers to ensure they align with the settlement.

FAQs

Q: Do You Need a Lawyer for a Lemon Law Case in California?

A: No. You are not required to utilize a lawyer during Lemon Law cases in California. However, it is advised that you hire a Santa Cruz Lemon Law attorney to improve your chances of a favorable outcome. Negotiations with manufacturers can be nuanced, so it’s good to work with lawyers like us who have experience handling such cases.

Q: How Long Does It Take to Settle a Lemon Law Case in California?

A: The duration of a Lemon Law settlement in California varies significantly depending on various factors, such as the complexity of the case, the level of cooperation by the manufacturer, and the time spent in negotiation, arbitration, and/or trial. It is important to talk to a Santa Cruz Lemon Law attorney about the specifics of your circumstances to better predict your timeline.

Q: Who Pays the Attorney Fees and Other Costs Under the California Lemon Law?

A: Per California Lemon Law, the manufacturer is responsible for paying the attorney fees and other costs associated with the process. This guarantees equal legal representation for all consumers, regardless of their financial situation. California’s Lemon Law aims to uphold fairness and access for all. Typically, attorneys work on contingency and only collect fees if and when a settlement is reached.

Q: How Will I Make a Lemon Law Claim in California?

A: To qualify for making a Lemon Law claim in California, you must meet a set list of requirements. The vehicle can be new or used as long as it is state-registered and under the manufacturer’s warranty. The law applies after a reasonable number of attempts at repair have been made, as defined by the Lemon Law presumption. This presumption applies only if the issues arise within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery and significantly reduce the vehicle’s value, safety, and usability.

Q: How Many Attempts Are Allowed for the Lemon Law in California?

A: The Lemon Law in California allows for a reasonable number of attempts to repair one’s vehicle. After a reasonable number of attempts, you can seek a refund or a replacement vehicle. However, the number that is considered reasonable is not uniform and can vary in each case.

If the problem is serious and imminently dangerous to the passengers in the vehicle, fewer attempts might be considered reasonable due to the defect’s urgency. In some cases, the number of attempts may be irrelevant due to the Lemon Law Presumption.

Contact a Santa Cruz and Monterey Lemon Law Lawyer

Lemon Law Pro is pleased to provide our legal services to Santa Cruz and Monterey and all of their surrounding areas such as Watsonville, Carmel, Pebble Beach, Big-Sur, Gilroy, Salinas and Hollister. As a firm that exclusively practices in the area of California Lemon Law, our lawyers are well versed in the complexities of the law and providing you with exceptional representation. Our goal is to provide the highest level of skill and services to our clients. The best part is these services are provided at absolutely no cost to our clients. Therefore, you can pursue your Lemon Law claim without worrying about the financial implications.

We make it simple and easy for you to contact us. Simple fill out our online form or give us a call. Our consultations are free and generally occur over the telephone. Also you can submit your documents for attorney review via e-mail, fax or mail. Our goal is to try to make this experience for you as easy and convenient as we can.

Due to all of your documents being able to be sent to us by e-mail, fax or mail it is not necessary for you to take time out of your busy life to meet in person. In fact, most of our California Lemon Law cases are settled without physical meetings being required. If an in person meeting is required, we would be happy to make travel arrangements to come meet with you in your local area at no cost to you.

So what are you waiting for, contact us today.