Is your vehicle a lemon? If you’re experiencing repeated defects or performance issues, you may be entitled to a refund, replacement, or cash settlement. At Timothy Abeel & Associates, our legal professionals specialize in Lemon Law, helping consumers like you secure the justice and compensation you deserve. With years of experience, we offer comprehensive legal guidance, guide you through the process and advocate for your rights — all to help ensure a fair outcome.
California law gives you rights and we’re here to help you protect them. If you think you’re stuck with a lemon, consult with Lemon Law attorneys in Los Angeles, California. Timothy Abeel & Associates has successfully handled thousands of Lemon Law cases. Get your free case review today!
Los Angeles Lemon Law, Explained
Under the “Tanner Consumer Protection Act” (more commonly known as California Lemon Law), Los Angeles residents who have purchased or leased defective vehicles are protected. This legislation is designed to safeguard consumers who have purchased or leased vehicles that remain defective despite multiple repair attempts. It also holds manufacturers accountable for defective products and compels them to address these issues.
If your vehicle has ongoing problems within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, you could be eligible for a full refund, a replacement vehicle, or a cash settlement. Lemon law claims can be resolved in three ways:
- Arbitration
- Litigation
- Settlement
You can always litigate or settle your claim. However, if the manufacturer offers arbitration in Los Angeles, you must go through this process to gain certain presumptions that can help you in court. If you skip arbitration, you must prove your vehicle is a lemon in a lawsuit.
Luckily, most cases settle without litigation. Your Los Angeles lemon law attorney will work to determine the value of your case and negotiate a fair settlement. If a settlement isn’t reached, they will proceed to arbitration or court to fight for your rights. If the manufacturer offers arbitration, lemon law lawyers in Los Angeles can ensure the arbitrator meets the requirements set by state law.
If you suspect your vehicle is a lemon, contact Timothy Abeel & Associates to consult with a skilled lemon law attorney in Los Angeles.
Qualifying for Compensation Under the Lemon Law in Los Angeles
A vehicle qualifies for the law’s protection when it is sold with an express warranty and malfunctions during the 18,000 miles or 18 months after its sale, whichever happens first. A vehicle that meets these conditions is presumed a lemon when any of the following happens:
- A failure to repair the same life-threatening defect two or more times
- A failure to repair the same defect four or more times
- The vehicle is out of service for at least 30 days
When counting the days a vehicle was out of service, it does not need to be in the shop for 30 consecutive days. It only needs to be out of service for 30 cumulative days across all the times you attempted to repair it.
If you meet these criteria, the law presumes your vehicle is a lemon. When applied in court, this presumption allows you to skip proving your vehicle is a lemon and jump to proving the remedy you deserve.
If the manufacturer offers arbitration, you must go through arbitration to use the lemon presumption in court. If the manufacturer does not offer arbitration, you can go straight to court with your lemon presumption.
The potential remedies you can expect from your case include the following:
- Additional repairs
- Vehicle replacement
- Partial or full refund
- Reimbursement for towing and rental costs
If a court or arbitrator orders the manufacturer to repurchase your vehicle, you receive a refund of:
- Down payment, including any trade-in allowance
- Loan or lease payments
- Sales tax
- Licensing and registration fees
- Rental car costs
- Repair and towing expenses
- Attorney’s fees and litigation costs
Alternatively, you can seek a replacement vehicle. If a manufacturer provides a replacement vehicle, it must be comparable to the original vehicle in make, model, and year. It must give you credit for all loan or lease payments you have made toward the vehicle.
In other words, the manufacturer cannot start a new loan or lease. Instead, your arrangement after the replacement will have the same terms and balance as before.
If you seek a replacement, you can also receive reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses, such as repair bills you paid and towing expenses you incurred. The manufacturer must also pay your legal fees and court costs.
How It Works
If you’re ready to file a claim, schedule a free case review with a Los Angeles lemon law attorney. Our team is here to manage the entire process for you, from gathering evidence to building a strong case. We guide you through every step and ensure you have the information you need to pursue your claim. Here’s what you need to do to get started:
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Complete Our Online Form
Provide us with basic information about you and your vehicle using our online form. This allows our Los Angeles lemon lawyers to conduct a free case evaluation and determine the best course of action for your needs.
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Send Documentation
Send us all the required documents, including:
– Repair shop records
– Vehicle purchase information
– Receipts for out-of-pocket expenses like towing, repairs, or rental carsKeep up with your car payments and continue taking your car in for repairs as needed. Update us with any new documentation as your situation changes.
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Let Us Do the Work
We handle the rest! Our lemon law attorneys in Los Angeles will deal with the manufacturer and dealer to resolve your case. This includes preparing your case, negotiating with the manufacturer, and representing you in arbitration and litigation. Best of all, you will never pay legal fees! Consumer protection laws, like the California lemon law, require the manufacturer to pay your legal fees and case costs.
Let Timothy Abeel & Associates Help You
The Lemon Law attorneys at Timothy Abeel & Associates are dedicated to helping you secure the compensation you deserve. When you partner with us, you’re not just getting the best lemon law attorney in Los Angeles for your specific case. You unlock access to:
Experienced Team
Our lemon lawyers in Los Angeles bring decades of experience in California Lemon Law cases. When you choose our team, you gain knowledgeable professionals with a long track record of success. If settlement discussions stall, we’re prepared to take your case to arbitration or court to ensure you get the best outcome.
Free Case Reviews
We provide free case reviews to understand your vehicle’s history and identify the best strategy for your claim. Once you’re partnered with a Timothy Abeel lemon law lawyer in Los Angeles, they’ll provide you with clear advice about your case’s potential and the compensation you could receive.
Never Pay Legal Fees
California Lemon Law places the cost burden on manufacturers, not on you. Yep, that’s right — you won’t pay a cent for legal representation. When we win or settle your case, the manufacturer is responsible for covering our fees. This means you can pursue justice without worrying about legal costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? We’ve got you covered. You can also reach out to our team at any time for help.
To qualify under California Lemon Law, your vehicle must meet specific criteria:
- It must be a car, truck, SUV, passenger van, motorhome (only the chassis cab), or another non-commercial vehicle.
- It should primarily be used for personal, household, or consumer purposes—not for business.
- The vehicle must have been purchased or leased from a California-based dealer.
To qualify for lemon law remedies in Los Angeles, you must notify the manufacturer of your car’s problems. You typically do this by returning to the dealer for warranty repairs each time your car breaks down.
You should not resort to self-help remedies. Instead, you should continue to make your car payments as you document your attempts to fix your car. Contact lemon law attorneys in Los Angeles for a free case review to learn about your options.
Not every defect justifies a Lemon Law claim, but here’s what you need to know:
- The defect must be covered by the vehicle’s written warranty and must substantially affect its use, value, or safety.
- The dealer must have had at least two chances to repair the defect.
- If your vehicle is out of service for 30 cumulative days due to the defect, you can still file a claim even without four repair attempts.
- Ensure each repair visit results in an itemized statement outlining parts and labor.
California Lemon Law offers two main remedies:
- Repurchase: The manufacturer buys back your vehicle at its purchase price, including sales tax, fees, and other related costs like rental car expenses and attorney fees.
- Replacement: You receive a new vehicle of the same make, model, and trim level. Your loan or lease continues from its current unpaid balance, without extension, and previous payments are credited. The manufacturer also covers additional costs like repair expenses and court fees. You choose your preferred remedy.
The harsh truth is that in these cases, California Lemon Law might not apply. However, you can still pursue compensation through other consumer protection laws, such as breach of implied warranties or filing a fraud claim against the dealer. Contact a consumer rights attorney to explore your options.
There’s no way to predict how long a case may take to settle. However, we understand the hardship of living without a car in Los Angeles. If a case has not been settled within 90 days, we’re prepared to move to the next stage of arbitration or litigation against the manufacturer to resolve your case.
Never! Filing a claim doesn’t require you to pay anything upfront. Our attorneys work on a contingency basis, meaning we only get paid if we win or settle your case, usually through fees recovered from the manufacturer.
California Lemon Law doesn’t typically cover motorcycles, boats, or unregistered off-road vehicles. However, other laws may protect you if these types of vehicles turn out to be defective.
No, you can represent yourself. However, arbitration and litigation can be complex, and our legal services are free. To ensure the best outcome for your case, contact a California lemon law lawyer at Timothy Abeel & Associates for a free consultation.