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Are You Looking to File a Lemon Law Claim in California?
While we might hope and pray that our new vehicle was a wise investment, sometimes things don’t work out that way. If you believe you’ve accidentally purchased a lemon car, you may be eligible for a refund or a vehicle replacement from either the car’s manufacturer or the dealership you bought it from.
Not all vehicles, regardless of their defects, will qualify for California Lemon Law protections. Your vehicle must satisfy certain necessary criteria, including the nature of the defect, the status of a warranty, and if the car was purchased from an authorized dealer.
What Are the Basic Steps for Filing a Lemon Law Claim?
You may begin filing a Lemon Law claim once you understand whether your car qualifies as a lemon.
We strongly recommend contacting our law offices to speak with experienced Lemon Law attorney Justin Ibrahim for assistance.
Gather Evidence
After you have determined that your vehicle qualifies under California Lemon Law (consult with a lawyer for help), you must begin the process of gathering evidence that supports your claim. Evidence is likely to include all documentation relating to the purchase of the vehicle (or lease contract), the car’s warranty, the DMV registration, and orders and receipts for repairs.
It is always better to gather more evidence and not need it than to collect only a little evidence and wish you had just a little more.
Ensure that the Vehicle is Under Warranty
To recover a refund or replacement, the vehicle must be under warranty. You have no case for a Lemon Law claim if it is no longer under warranty.
Acceptable warranties include the original manufacturer warranty, a valid extended warranty, or a certified previously-owned warranty.
Contact the Vehicle Manufacturers
Once you’ve completed the previous steps, you should consider contacting the car makers. Vehicle manufacturers typically have policies and processes for handling issues like lemon claims before things are taken to court.
For many, the claim process may end here and go no further, as the car manufacturer might offer you the resolution you’re after without needing a drawn-out legal fight. For others, you may continue to the next step.
Consult with a Lawyer Experienced in California Lemon Law Cases
Depending on your comfort with your case, this step can come early in the process or later on. Regardless of when you hire legal representation, it would be wise to consult with a lawyer early to discuss your legal options in a Lemon Law case.
Your lawyer will help you ensure that your claim is in order and that you’re not being taken advantage of by car manufacturers or dealership managers.
At Ibrahim Law Firm, we are not paid by the client but rather by the manufacturer or dealer after your case is won.
File Your Lemon Law Claim and Begin to Negotiate
It may be necessary to formally file a claim for the car makers to take your case seriously. Once the claim is on paper, the manufacturer may offer a settlement.
At this point, you and your Lemon Law lawyer will begin the negotiation process in hopes of recovering better compensation for your case. If all goes well, you will settle out of court.
If not…
Take Your Case to Court if Necessary
Suppose the car manufacturer does not offer suitable compensation for your case, even though you and your attorney believe you have a valid claim. In that case, you may consider taking the matter to court.
A courtroom trial is not what anybody wants, as it can be costly and time-consuming. Sometimes, though, it may be the only option left for people.
If you haven’t hired a lawyer already, you should definitely do so at this stage.
Schedule a Free Consultation with an Experienced Lemon Law Attorney Today
Justin Ibrahim and his California legal team will help you every step of the way through your Lemon Law claim process. Our law firm prides itself on personalized client representation, and we would be proud to help you in any way we can.
To schedule your free initial consultation, call 626-600-0890.
