Porterville Lemon Law Attorney

Lemon Law Lawyer in Porterville, CA

Purchasing a new or used car at a local dealership like Merle Stone Chevrolet is a big investment for most Californians. Losing that car almost immediately to a defect that causes it to be unsafe or unusable can be devastating. That’s why the Golden State has a lemon law in place. You can find out if your vehicle is eligible for replacement or refund under the CA lemon law by contacting a Porterville lemon law attorney.

Trust Lemon Law Pro

The team at Lemon Law Pro has years of experience helping drivers like you seek restitution from dealerships that have sold them defective vehicles. We’re intimately familiar with all the relevant laws and recent updates and know how to deal with automotive manufacturers effectively to get you the compensation you deserve. Plus, we won’t charge you a cent. If we win, your attorney’s fees will be paid by the automotive manufacturer at fault.

Why Hire a Lemon Law Attorney?

In 2023, 1.78 million cars were sold in California. Of those, more than 22,000 were reported as lemons. GM is the worst culprit, selling one lemon for every 78 cars it has sold. However, other popular auto manufacturers like Ford, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, and Nissan North America all routinely have claims filed against them for selling lemons, as well.

It doesn’t matter who made your car. Even a reliable manufacturer like Toyota can produce a lemon occasionally. The bottom line is that if your car has a manufacturer’s defect, you should hire a lemon law attorney to help you have it replaced or get your money refunded. A lemon law attorney can help you with everything from filing paperwork on time to dealing with automotive manufacturers during the mediation stage.

What to Expect From the Claim-Filing Process?

The recently passed Assembly Bill 1755 made certain changes to California’s lemon law, including some that affect how you file a claim. The easiest way to get your claim filed and your vehicle replaced or refunded is to work with a lemon law attorney in Porterville, CA. Here’s what you can expect from the process:

• Attempts to fix the problem: Your dealership gets two attempts to fix a serious problem that could pose a threat to your safety or four attempts to fix a minor issue before you can begin the process of filing a lemon law claim. There is one exception. If your car spends more than 30 days at the dealership being repaired, you can file a claim even if it’s the first repair attempt.
• Pre-claim notice: According to AB 1755, vehicle owners now must give notice to the automotive manufacturer prior to filing a claim. You must inform the manufacturer via a written notice at least 30 days prior to filing your claim. The manufacturer has 30 days to comply with your request.
• Settlement: If you can reach an agreement immediately with the manufacturer, they will have 60 days to issue a refund or replace your car.
• Initial Disclosure: If a settlement isn’t possible and you must proceed to litigation, the next stage is initial disclosure. You and the manufacturer must both provide documents without awaiting a discovery request. The documents can include warranties, repair orders, communications, and others.
• Mandatory Mediation: Before your case can go to court, you’ll need to engage in a mandatory mediation process as stipulated in AB 1755. You’ll have to schedule the mediation proceeding within 90 days of receiving an answer from the manufacturer, and it must occur within 150 days.
• Depositions: AB 1755 also sets guidelines for depositions. Within 120 days of filing an answer, you and the manufacturer are both entitled to conduct initial depositions regarding the vehicle’s history, repairs, and communications.
• Litigation: If your case must go to court, your goal should be to aim for a buyback or a replacement for your damaged vehicle, plus attorney’s fees. We’ll provide courtroom representation.

FAQs About Porterville Lemon Law

What Compensation Does the CA Lemon Law Offer?

The CA lemon law offers compensation for certain damaged new or used cars that are still under the manufacturer’s warranty. You could be given a replacement car, or the manufacturer could refund you the money you paid for your old one, minus any wear and tear you put on it that was unrelated to the defect.

What Is the Car Replacement Program in California?

The car replacement program in California is covered by the Tanner Consumer Protection Act, more frequently known as the lemon law. The lemon law allows consumers who purchased defective vehicles from dealerships to get their money back or have their cars replaced. The process of filing a lemon law claim can be complicated, but a Porterville lemon lawyer can help you take advantage of this legislation.

What Problems Does the CA Lemon Law Cover?

The CA lemon law covers any problems with your car that originate from manufacturer’s defects that are bad enough to affect its use, safety, or value. You can only file a lemon law claim after your dealership has made two attempts to fix a serious problem that could cause injury or death if not addressed, or four attempts at fixing a minor problem.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for the Lemon Law in CA?

The statute of limitations for the lemon law in CA is one month from the expiration of your manufacturer’s warranty or six years from the original purchase date of the vehicle. However, the defect must appear within 18 months or 18,000 miles of your purchase date to make your vehicle eligible for replacement or refund under the lemon law. Specifics are outlined in the Tanner Consumer Protection Act. Your attorney can help you meet the necessary timelines.

Porterville Lemon Law Attorney

If your car is malfunctioning and it’s still under warranty, there’s a chance you could be eligible for a refund or replacement. Speak with a Porterville lemon law attorney about your options. The team at Lemon Law Pro provides a full range of lemon law services. We have been in practice for years, taking lemon law cases statewide, and we can help with yours, too. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation today.