Buying a new vehicle should be exciting, but for some unfortunate people, it turns into a nightmare. If you’ve purchased or leased a newer car in the Bay Area and it keeps breaking down, you might have a lemon. Don’t worry, though. There are laws to protect you, accompanied by lawyers who can help, specifically the lemon lawyers at Quill & Arrow LLP.
This article will tell you all you need to know about the Lemon Law San Francisco abides by and how an attorney can be your ally in the fight against the automakers. We’ll explain what these laws cover, and what to do if you own a lemon. Let’s dive in!
What is the Bay Area Lemon Law
The Bay Area Lemon Law is part of California’s consumer protection laws. Its purpose is to help people who have bought or leased defective vehicles that couldn’t be fixed with multiple repair attempts. It’s specifically for cars still covered by the warranty that exhibit notable defects. The lemon law kicks into gear once it’s apparent the dealer or automaker can’t fix the issues plaguing the vehicle. It stipulates that the manufacturer must either replace the car, repurchase it, or compensate the owner.
What Defects Does the Law Cover?
Car owners need to note that not every car problem makes it a lemon. It must affect the use, value, or safety or the vehicle and continue through multiple repairs. Here’s a few examples of what has qualified in the past:
- Powertrain Problems: This kind of problem typically involves either the engine or transmission. It may surface as engine stalling, excessive oil consumption, downshifts, locked gears, or transmission failure. The Lemon law covers all of these since they render the vehicle unsafe and unreliable.
- Brake and Steering Issues: Defects affecting the brakes or steering system may pose a notable risk. If the brakes or steering is unresponsive, it’s a clear indication of a lemon covered by the law.
- Electrical Problems: The advent of electric vehicles and standard I.C.E. vehicles packed with electronics have made electrical problems more prevalent. If your car has persistent electrical issues, such as faulty navigation or malfunctioning lights, the lemon law may cover them.
- Airbag and Safety System Defects: A fault in airbags or other safety features can be hazardous. These systems help reduce the impact of accidents on car occupants, but when they are malfuntioning, they are grounds for a Lemon Law claim.
- Issues Affecting the Car’s Use or Value: The Lemon Law generally covers any defect affecting the car’s safety, use, or value. However, these issues must have occurred while the vehicle was under warranty.
Steps to Take If Your Vehicle is a Lemon
If you think your car is a lemon, here are some steps to take:
Report to the Dealer and Track the Repair Attempts
If you notice any issue with your vehicle, don’t hesitate to report it to the dealer. They are the ones responsible for attempting repairs on your car. If the problem persists, keep visiting the dealer until they provide a permanent solution. After attempting to fix the same issue 2-4 times without success, your car may qualify as a lemon. Take note of how long the vehicle spends at the dealer’s shop for each repair.
Keep Good Records
While attempting repairs, keep detailed records of everything, including the reported defects and repairs made. You should also include repair orders, invoices, and notes on what the dealer or mechanic did to fix the issue. These records come in handy as evidence of your defective car.
Give the Manufacturer a Final Chance
Before filing a Lemon Law claim, you must write a formal letter to the automaker. On receiving the letter, they have the right to request one final chance to repair the problem(s), which you should allow. This is to confirm that you’ve done everything you can on your end to have the vehicle repaired.
Contact a Lemon Law Attorney
If the problem persists despite the final repair attempt, it’s time to consult a San Francisco Lemon Law attorney. An experienced lawyer will review your case, help you understand your rights, and guide you through the process.
File Your Lemon Law Claim
The professional Lemon Law attorney Bay Area provides will help you file a claim against the automaker. Your lawyer will negotiate for a deal that best compensates you for your trouble. If the dealer plays hard ball, they may take the case to court.
Stay Patient But Persistent
As a lemon law pursuant, it’s important to note that Lemon Law cases usually take time to resolve. This is especially true if the manufacturer tries to fight the claim. As a result, you need to remain patient but persistent to get the full compensation value you deserve. Ensure you don’t wait too long to file the claim, as there are time limits for lemon law.
How Quill & Arrow Legal Team Can Protect Your Rights
At Quill & Arrow, our team understands how frustrating it is to be the owner of a defective vehicle. We are committed to fighting for your rights, and here’s how we help:
- Knowledge and Experience: Our attorneys are knowledgeable and well-experienced in lemon law nuances. We will evaluate your situation and give you clear, honest advice about your options. If you have a strong case, we’ll explain the process and tell you what to expect.
- Case Management: From gathering evidence to documentation, we help manage your claim. Our goal is to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
- Attention and Communication: We treat each case with the attention it deserves. We don’t view our clients as just another statistic; we take the time to listen and understand your unique situation. We then tailor our approach to meet your needs, communicating with you every step of the way.
- No Upfront Costs: As the premier Lemon Law Lawyers Bay Area can provide, we work on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t pay unless we win your case, allowing you access to top-tier legal representation without out-of-pocket costs. If we do win, we collect our fees from the manufacturer.
- Negotiation and Litigation: Carmakers often try to deny or minimize Lemon Law claims. Knowing this, we won’t back down from a fight, and we’ll stand up to the manufacturers until we secure the best outcome for you.
We Win Lemon Law Cases in the Bay Area for a Living
At Quill & Arrow, winning Lemon Law cases is what we do best. We’re good at it because it’s our focus and specialty as we handle thousands of Lemon Law cases a year. We know these cases inside and out, and we understand local laws in the Bay Area. We’re able to build on this knowledge and use it to get our clients the maximum amount of compensation they deserve.
When you work with us at Quill & Arrow, you’re working with a team that knows how to win. We’ve helped many people in the Bay Area get justice for their lemon cars, so why not join the winning team today?
Media Contact:
Carlo V. DeFalco
Carlo@ecustomsolutions.com
eCustom Solutions