Feel like you’re stuck in a loop with your vehicle, shelling out your hard-earned cash for the same repairs over and over? Your car might be a lemon — and you could be entitled to certain remedies. The Lemon Law attorneys at Timothy Abeel & Associates are here to assist you in getting the refund, cash settlement, or vehicle replacement you deserve. We have years of experience fighting for the rights of Orange County drivers stuck with a lemon, and we can help you!
California Lemon Law guarantees vehicle owners certain rights. We’ll advocate for you to make sure your vehicle’s manufacturer gives you fair compensation. Call a Lemon Law attorney in Orange County at Timothy Abeel & Associates today and get professional guidance with your lemon case.
Orange County Lemon Law Explained
California protects consumers via the “Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act” (known as the Lemon Law). The law is designed to protect drivers of defective vehicles who have made multiple attempts to have their vehicles repaired with no success. This important legislation requires manufacturers to take responsibility for their defective vehicles and remedy the issue for affected consumers.
Did a persistent issue pop up with your vehicle in the first 18 months of ownership or the first 18,000 miles? You might need the guidance of a California Lemon Law attorney. An Orange County representative from our office can help you with the following:
- Arbitration
- Litigation
- Settlement
Should the manufacturer offer arbitration, under Orange County law, you’ll need to go through it to be awarded the presumption that your vehicle is a lemon in court. If they do not offer arbitration, you’ll be automatically granted the presumption, which means we can take your claim to court.
Fortunately, our Lemon Law attorneys in Orange County usually reach a settlement without arbitration or litigation. However, if we cannot reach a fair agreement, we are prepared to proceed to court and ensure your rights are upheld.
Do you believe your vehicle is a lemon? Contact one of our Orange County Lemon Law lawyers for a free consultation.
Qualifying for Compensation Under Lemon Law in Orange County
Problem vehicles can be everything from affordable sedans to luxury SUVs, so make sure you consult with an attorney if your car keeps breaking down in the same way. Wondering if your vehicle qualifies for Lemon Law protections? If your vehicle came with an express warranty and began exhibiting issues within the first 18,000 miles or 18 months, it will be considered a lemon if the following criteria are met:
- The dealer made at least two unsuccessful attempts to repair a life-threatening defect
- The dealer made at least four unsuccessful attempts to repair a non-life-threatening defect
- Your vehicle is undrivable due to the issue for at least 30 cumulative days
It’s important to note that your vehicle doesn’t need to be undrivable for 30 days in a row to meet these requirements. So long as it’s been out of service for 30 total days, you could be entitled to certain protections under Lemon Law.Â
When your vehicle meets the above criteria, it’s presumed a lemon, and you’re relieved of the burden of proving that it is one in court. At that point, your Lemon Law attorney in Orange County can proceed to negotiate with the manufacturer, seeking a fair remedy.Â
Below are the solutions available to you:
- Additional repairs
- A partial refund
- A full refund
- A vehicle replacement
- A cash settlement
- Reimbursement for repairs, towing, and rental vehicles
Should the courts decide a refund is in order, here’s what you can expect to receive:
- Your down payment
- Any trade-in allowance you used
- The return of any lease or loan payments made
- Refund of the sales tax you paid
- Reimbursement for licensing and registration fees
- Reimbursement for rental car costs
- Reimbursement for repair expenses
- Reimbursement for towing expenses
- Payment for your legal fees
If you select a replacement vehicle as your remedy, the manufacturer will need to provide you with one that is comparable in make, model, and trim to your lemon.Â
The manufacturer can’t begin a new lease or loan with your replacement vehicle. They will credit you for the payments you have already made and your loan balance will resume where it left off. In addition to the replacement vehicle, the manufacturer will still need to pay you for costs you incurred with your lemon, including repairs, towing, rentals, and legal fees.
How It Works
Ready to seek a remedy for your lemon? A Timothy Abeel & Associates Lemon lawyer in Orange County is ready to conduct a free case review. Our team will guide you through gathering the right evidence to build a strong case and ensure you understand how the process works. Here’s what you’ll need to do to get started:
1. Complete Our Online Form
Visit our website and fill out our online form. You’ll provide us with information and a member of our team will review the information you provide as part of your free case review.
2. Send Documentation
There are some documents we’ll ask you to provide for your case, including:
- Repair shop records
- Vehicle purchase information
- Receipts for out-of-pocket expenses (rental cars, towing, repairs)
While we work on your case, keep up with payments and any dealer-recommended repairs. Provide us with receipts as you receive them.
3. Let Us Do The Work
From here, we’ll take over. One of our Lemon Law attorneys in Orange County will negotiate with the manufacturer to reach a fair settlement. If we need to move forward with arbitration or litigation, we’ll represent you in court. The good news is that you won’t need to add legal fees to the long list of costs you’ve already incurred with your lemon because Lemon Law mandates that the manufacturer cover your legal fees, so we’ll send the bill to them.Â
Let Timothy Abeel & Associates Help You
Stop living with a lemon and let one of our attorneys win you a refund, replacement vehicle, or settlement. Our insightful and dedicated team of California Lemon Law lawyers will fight for your rights. Here’s what you get when you work with us:
Experienced Team
If you’re seeking an experienced Lemon Law attorney in Orange County, CA, call us at Timothy Abeel & Associates. We have fought for the rights of thousands of Orange County drivers stuck with a lemon. We know the complexities of Lemon Law and how to build a compelling case on your behalf to get you the compensation you deserve!
Free Case Reviews
Our team will conduct a free case review to gather an understanding of your vehicle history. Using our expertise in Lemon Law, we’ll create a strategy to earn you the best possible outcome. One of our attorneys will give you an honest assessment of your case, and what you can expect to be awarded by the courts.
No Legal FeesÂ
You’ll never see a bill from us. Your case review is free, and we work on contingency. That means we don’t see a dime unless we win you a settlement, and the manufacturer will pay your legal fees. We know you’ve spent a lot trying to fix your lemon, but the costs stop here. Call us today and take the first step toward the compensation you deserve!
To receive Lemon Law protections, your vehicle must be:
- A non-commercial vehicle, such as a car, truck, SUV, or passenger van
- Used primarily for personal or household use
- Purchased or leased from a California dealership
If you believe that your vehicle is a lemon, the first thing to do is notify the manufacturer or the dealer. Allow them to attempt to make the necessary repairs, and never try any DIY solutions.Â
Call a Lemon Law attorney at Timothy Abeel & Associates for a free case review. In the meantime, keep up with your regular payments, and the dealer-recommended repairs, gathering all associated documents.
Not every vehicle defect qualifies your car, truck or SUV as a lemon. The list of requirements for a car to be covered under the Lemon Law are:
- The defect must be covered by the warranty
- The defect must significantly impact the vehicle’s usability, safety, or value
- The dealer must have made two attempts to fix a life-threatening issue
- The dealer must have made four attempts to fix a non-life-threatening issue
- Your vehicle has been out of use for 30 cumulative daysÂ
- You can show an itemized record for every repair attempt
Under California Lemon Law, you are entitled to the following remedies:
- Repurchase: The manufacturer buys the lemon back from you, reimbursing you the purchase price, sales taxes and fees, and other expenses you’ve paid such as legal fees or rental costs.
Replacement: The manufacturer replaces your vehicle with one of a similar make, model, and trim level. You’re credited for all of the payments you’ve already made on your lease or loan, and your balance resumes as-is. The manufacturer also pays you for the costs you’ve incurred while trying to get your vehicle working, such as repairs and rental costs.
Lemon Law likely won’t protect you if your issues first appeared after 18,000 miles or the first 18 months of ownership. However, other consumer rights regulations could entitle you to a remedy. Speak to a consumer rights attorney to explore your options.
There is no specified time to reach a Lemon Law settlement. However, rest assured that our attorneys push for a swift remedy. If we can’t reach a settlement within 90 days, we’re prepared to move forward with arbitration or litigation.
Absolutely not! Because our attorneys work on contingency, you won’t pay for legal costs upfront — you won’t even have to pay the filing fee. Under Lemon Law, the manufacturer must pay for your legal fees.
Lemon Law doesn’t cover recreational vehicles. However, there are additional laws that can protect you if you’re facing issues with these vehicles.
You are not required to use a lawyer to fight your Lemon Law case. However, Lemon Law is complex, and it’s a good idea to seek professional guidance to increase your chances of a fair outcome. Since you won’t pay legal fees out of pocket, there is no reason not to call our office today for a free consultation. It’s time to say goodbye to your lemon, so let us help you acquire a new vehicle, a refund, or a settlement.