Tracy Lemon Law Attorney

Lemon Law Lawyer in Tracy, CA

There are few things more frustrating than driving a new car home from the lot only to find that it has a severe defect not long after its purchase. California protects consumers against this problem via its lemon laws, but they’re not always easy to understand. If your car breaks down soon after you bought it, a Tracy lemon law attorney can provide essential lemon law services that could help you get your money back for your car.

The team at Lemon Law Pro has handled countless lemon law cases statewide. We handle everything from engaging professional witnesses to conducting depositions and appearing in court on our clients’ behalf, and you won’t have to pay a dime. If we win your case, your attorney fees will be paid by the vehicle’s manufacturer. Our team has the knowledge and experience you can count on across California.

Hire a Lemon Law Attorney

A recent report by the CARS Foundation and Frontier Group analyzed the lemon law and which dealerships it affected the most. The report reviewed 34,397 lemon law cases in state courts that occurred between 2018 and 2021. It showed that General Motors had one claim filed against it for every 78 cars sold in the Golden State. A second study shows that the number of lemon law cases has been on the rise in recent years. There were over 22,000 filings in 2023.

What these cases have in common is that most of the successful ones occurred after vehicle owners decided to hire a lemon law attorney. There’s a lot of work that goes into filing a lemon law claim, particularly with the new provisions introduced under AB 1755. Your Tracy lemon law attorney can help you with everything from informing the manufacturer and meeting deadlines to litigating your case in court if it becomes necessary.

Understanding the California Lemon Law

The California lemon law is known as the Tanner Consumer Protection Act, and it’s covered under California Civil Code section 1793.22. This Act covers all new and used cars sold and leased in California that come with a manufacturer’s warranty, which can be either a new car warranty or a certified used vehicle warranty.

Under California’s lemon law, vehicle owners have the right to file a claim against the dealership or manufacturer if the dealership is unable to resolve the issue within a reasonable number of repair attempts and they are unable to reach an agreement with the manufacturer during a mandatory arbitration period.

If these conditions are met, you can file a lemon law claim in civil court. If successful, you’ll receive a vehicle replacement or a reimbursement. Your reimbursement will be equal to the purchase price minus any value loss that can be directly attributed to your use of the vehicle before the defect’s discovery.

Time Limits for Manufacturer Repairs

You have 18 months or 18,000 miles from the date of your vehicle’s purchase to report a lemon under the California lemon law. This is true whether you purchased your car from a huge dealership like Tracy Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram or a smaller used car dealer that sells certified pre-owned vehicles. Under the new lemon laws, you’ll have up to one year after the vehicle’s warranty expires or six years from the vehicle’s original delivery to file your claim.

The process will begin with the submission of a written notice to the manufacturer, who will have 30-60 days to respond. You and the manufacturer must both provide initial disclosure documents within 60 days of filing, and a mandatory mediation process must be started by 90 days after the filing. You must start mediation within 150 days. Your lawyer can help you keep track of these important deadlines.

FAQs About Tracy Lemon Law

What Is the Average Lemon Law Settlement in California?

There is no average lemon law settlement in California. Settlements range from token amounts to full vehicle buybacks of the purchase price minus usage. Your settlement amount will depend on factors such as the vehicle’s price, the severity of the defect, the car’s repair history, and its mileage. Having a skilled attorney on your team can also help you maximize your settlement.

Can I File a Claim Against a Dealership for Selling Me a Lemon Used Car?

You can file a claim against a dealership for selling you a lemon used car in California, but you’ll have to prove that the defect was covered under an existing manufacturer’s warranty. The warranty can be new or certified pre-owned. As with new cars, the dealer is allowed several attempts to fix the problem before you can file a claim.

What Is the Success Rate of the Lemon Law in California?

The success rate of the lemon law in California is very high for vehicles that are covered by this provision. However, many vehicle owners settle early for less than they could get in court. You can avoid this issue by hiring a Tracy lemon lawyer to represent you throughout the negotiation process.

What Qualifies a Car for the Lemon Law in California?

A car qualifies for the lemon law in California if it has one or more substantial defects that impact its safety, use, or value. The dealership that sold the car is allowed two to four attempts to fix it before you can file a claim against them, and the recently passed AB 1755 requires vehicle owners to submit initial documentation to manufacturers, if they opt in to the new provisions, before filing a claim.

Tracy Lemon Law Attorney

Buying a car should be exciting, not stressful. You shouldn’t have to worry about whether it will break down as soon as you get it home from the dealership. If it does, a Tracy Lemon Law attorney can help you file a claim. The team at Lemon Law Pro can help you navigate the complicated process, and our services are free. We offer free consultations and get paid by the manufacturer if you win. Contact us to schedule an appointment today.