You’re stuck in a loop, shelling out for the same vehicle repairs over and over. It’s draining your bank account and your energy while disrupting your life.
It seems life gave you a lemon. The good news is you could be entitled to a cash settlement, replacement vehicle, or refund. At Timothy Abeel & Associates, we’ve assisted hundreds of Sacramento drivers, winning the compensation they deserved.
Say goodbye to your lemon and receive fair compensation for your struggles. Contact a Sacramento Lemon Law attorney at our firm today!
Sacramento Lemon Law Explained
In California, drivers are protected under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act . This legislation — commonly known as the California Lemon Law — safeguards drivers who have purchased or leased a defective vehicle. It entitles drivers to fair compensation and requires manufacturers to take responsibility for their malfunctioning vehicles. Our California Lemon Law attorneys are here to see that the law is upheld.
Is your vehicle having the same issues over and over despite repairs? Did those issues first appear within the first 18,000 miles or 18 months of ownership or lease? You could benefit from the help of a Lemon Law lawyer. Sacramento drivers count on us to earn fair compensation through arbitration or litigation.
If the manufacturer offers arbitration, you’ll need to go through it to receive the lemon presumption, which removes the burden of proving that your vehicle is a lemon in court. Should you choose to skip arbitration, you must show that your vehicle is a lemon during litigation.
Fortunately, our attorneys settle most lemon cases without litigation. One of our experienced Sacramento Lemon Law attorneys will evaluate your case, determine fair compensation, and negotiate with the manufacturer to earn you the settlement you deserve. If we can’t reach a settlement, we are ready to litigate on your behalf.
Qualifying for Compensation Under the Lemon Law in Sacramento
Not every malfunctioning vehicle is a lemon. If your vehicle came with an express warranty and began showing issues within the first 18 months of lease or ownership or within the first 18,000 miles driven, it might be a lemon if the following has occurred:
- The dealer has made two unsuccessful attempts to fix the same life-threatening issue
- The dealer has made four unsuccessful attempts to fix the same non-life-threatening issue
- The vehicle has been out of service for 30 cumulative days
Your vehicle doesn’t need to have been out of service for 30 consecutive days. So long as you have been unable to drive it for 30 total days due to the defect, it is considered a lemon.
If your vehicle meets the above criteria, you won’t need to prove it is a lemon in court — you’ll be automatically awarded the lemon presumption. We can then move forward with negotiating compensation. You’ll still need to go through arbitration if the manufacturer offers it. A Sacramento Lemon Law attorney from our office is here to guide you through each step and ensure your rights are upheld.
Below are the remedies you can expect:
- Further repairs
- A replacement vehicle
- A full or partial refund
- Reimbursement for towing and repair costs
Should the court mandate that the manufacturer issue a refund, you’ll be reimbursed for the following (when applicable):
- Your down payment
- Trade-in allowance used
- Lease or loan payments made
- Sales tax
- Licensing and registration fees
- Rental car costs
- Repair expenses
- Towing expenses
- Legal fees
Should you opt for a replacement vehicle, it must be of a comparable make, model, and trim to your original vehicle.
If you financed the vehicle, the manufacturer cannot begin a new loan — they must credit you for all lease or loan payments made until this point. In all cases, you’ll also be reimbursed for any costs you incurred due to the issues, including repairs, rentals, towing, and any legal and court fees. Under Lemon Law, the manufacturer is obligated to cover your legal fees.
How It Works
Ready to work towards a resolution and say goodbye to your lemon? Contact a Timothy Abeel & Associates Lemon Law attorney. Sacramento drivers can trust us to fight for you and make sure you receive fair compensation. We’ll provide you with expert guidance so you know how it works at every step, from gathering compelling evidence to negotiating with the manufacturer and, when necessary, litigating in court. Below are the steps to get started:
1. Complete Our Online Form
Provide us with a few details about your vehicle so the Sacramento Lemon Law attorney from our firm can conduct a free case review and determine the best strategy. We’ll give you an honest valuation of your case so you know what compensation you might win.
2. Send Documentation
Next, you’ll send us the proper documentation to build your case. We’ll need:
- Repair shop records
- Vehicle purchase information
- Receipts for out-of-pocket expenses
Throughout your case, we’ll advise you on lemon case best practices. Keep up with your lease or loan payments and return to the dealer for any recommended repairs. Hold on to any paperwork you receive and send us copies to further build your case.
3. Let Us Do The Work
From here, we take over. Your lemon lawyer in Sacramento will build your case, negotiate with the manufacturer, and represent you through arbitration and/or litigation. The best part is you’ll never see a bill from us. Lemon Law requires the manufacturer to pay your legal fees so you can fight for compensation without spending a single dollar.
Let Timothy Abeel & Associates Help You
Stop living with a lemon. Turn to an experienced, passionate, and professional Lemon Law attorney in Sacramento, CA. Work with us to unlock the following benefits:
Experienced Team
We’ve helped hundreds of Sacramento drivers win the compensation they deserve. Our lawyers understand the nuances and complexities of Lemon Law and have years of experience navigating the court system. Together, our firm will lend tremendous insight and resources to your case to get you the best outcome.
Free Case Reviews
Our consultations are always free of charge. One of our attorneys will review your information, outline the steps forward, and explain the compensation you stand to win.
No Legal Fees
It’s not just the review that’s free: you won’t pay anything out of pocket from start to finish. We work on contingency, meaning we only receive payment when you win a settlement — and that payment doesn’t come from you. Lemon law requires the manufacturer to cover your attorney’s fees, so we’ll never bill you for legal costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions about Lemon Law cases? Below, you can find answers to some of the most common questions about Lemon Law.
Not all problem vehicles qualify as lemons. However, the following vehicle types are eligible:
- Non-commercial vehicles such as trucks, cars, SUVs, or the chassis cab of a motor home
- Personal or household vehicles (not business vehicles)
- Vehicles purchased or leased from a California dealer
To qualify for Lemon Law protections, you must allow the dealer to attempt to fix the issue. Each time the defect appears, take your vehicle to the dealer. Never attempt to fix the issue yourself, as this could disqualify you from Lemon Law protections. Even when your vehicle isn’t working or is being repaired, keep up with your regular lease or loan payments. Gather copies of all repair records and call Timothy Abeel & Associates so we can build your case.
Only certain defects trigger a lemon case. This includes defects that:
- Are covered by the dealer or manufacturer warranty
- Significantly impact the vehicle’s safety, value, or use
- The dealer has been given the allowed number of tries to fix
- Have made your vehicle undrivable for 30 cumulative days
Always ask for an itemized copy of the repairs and parts after each visit to the dealership.
Under California Lemon Law, consumers are entitled to two primary remedies:
- Replacement: The manufacturer issues a replacement vehicle of a comparable make, model, and trim and pays for any costs incurred, such as repairs or towing. You’re credited for lease or loan payments made on the previous vehicle, and the loan resumes at its current balance.
- Repurchase: The manufacturer buys back the vehicle at its original purchase price, reimbursing you for the sales tax, fees, and any other costs associated with buying the vehicle. Plus, the manufacturer pays you for costs incurred, such as towing, rentals, or repairs.
The manufacturer is responsible for paying the driver’s legal fees in either scenario.
If your vehicle issues first appeared after 18 months or 18,000 miles, you likely won’t qualify for Lemon Law protections. However, you could be eligible for compensation under other consumer protection laws. Reach out to a consumer rights attorney to explore your options.
Every lemon case is different, so there is no set time frame. However, if we cannot settle with the manufacturer within 90 days, we will move forward with arbitration or litigation. We understand how frustrating living with a defective vehicle is and will work hard to get you a swift remedy.
You’ll never pay anything upfront. Lemon Law requires the manufacturer to cover your legal fees, including filing fees.
Recreational vehicles such as these do not receive protections under Lemon Law. However, you could be eligible for compensation under other legislation.
While it is not mandatory, we strongly recommend that you do. Lemon Law is complex, and the court systems can be overwhelming to navigate by yourself. A Sacramento Lemon Law attorney from Timothy Abeel & Associates can provide you with expert guidance through your case and see that your rights are upheld. Partner with one of our experienced Lemon Law attorneys today!