CALIFORNIA LEMON LAW ATTORNEY

We know that there are a lot of lemon law lawyers in California to choose from, but we believe Neale & Fhima stands head and shoulders above the rest. That’s because we have an outstanding pattern of success in handling lemon law claims for our clients! We have a winning track record, and our attorneys are among the best and the brightest. The team at Neale & Fhima is committed to each client’s case, and we give you our faulty attention. Here are a few of the reasons you should choose us:

Years of Experience. Our attorneys have more than 40 years of combined experience representing clients throughout California.

Our Lawyers Win Cases. Neale & Fhima enjoys a 99% success rate. We think this says a lot about the skill of our attorneys. While we cannot guarantee the outcome of any particular case, you can take comfort in knowing your claim is being handled by lemon law lawyers who have a track record of success.

We Value Client Relationships. High-volume law offices tend to think of clients as nothing more than a case file. The file gets passed around until it ends up with a paralegal or junior associate who just wants to finish it and move on. Neale & Fhima is different. We enjoy getting to know our clients. It also helps us craft settlement agreements that meet their individual needs.

We Know the Law. California’s lemon law is a fine example of how the state legislature can empower consumers. When it comes to clarity, however, the text of the statute leaves much to be desired. Our attorneys understand the quirks of the statute, as well as the many court opinions interpreting it. We put this knowledge to work for you.

No Surprises. A handful of manufacturers control most of the U.S. auto market. We repeatedly go up against these same companies. This allows us to anticipate how they will respond to claims involving specific models and mechanical defects. Our attorneys will share how these insights can impact your claim, so you are never in the dark about what to expect.

Free Consultations. We will always discuss your situation with you in a free initial consultation before you make any decisions about a claim.

If you’ve purchased a new or used vehicle or leased a vehicle and discover that it has a mechanical or electrical defect that the dealer cannot seem to repair, don’t despair. There may be a legal solution to your problem. The California Lemon Law is designed to protect consumers and provide a remedy.

The California Lemon Law applies to cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, RVs, and many other types of vehicles. A “Lemon” is a vehicle manufactured with flaws or defects, and no matter how many times you take it back to the dealership for repairs, the vehicle never drives or operates properly. Whether it’s due to faulty brakes, defective engine, radio issues, poor steering, defective door locks or a wide range of other problems, these “lemons” are a headache that never seems to go away. A California lemon law lawyer can help.

You don’t have to remain stuck with an unreliable car or truck. California’s Lemon Law requires auto manufacturers to repair vehicles within a reasonable number of repair attempts. If they are unable to do so, the law requires them to either replace or repurchase the “lemon” vehicle. For a car or truck to be a lemon, the defect must negatively impact the use, value or safety of the vehicle. And before filing a lemon law claim, an owner must have made a “reasonable number” of attempts to get the problem fixed. If you own a defective vehicle, a California lemon law lawyer can file a claim on your behalf to get the remedy you deserve.

AGGRESSIVE & FAST

After weeks of hearing excuses from the dealership repair shop, the last thing you need is a long and tiresome legal proceeding. We make the process easy. Neale & Fhima will move swiftly to assert your rights against the manufacturer and then keep the pressure on until your case is resolved. To find out if you have a legal claim, contact the lemon law attorneys at Neale & Fhima at 877-308-2128.

FREE CONSULTATION

In California, there are potentially a number of different ways to pursue a Lemon Law claim. Following are the stages that are generally involved in the Lemon Law claims process:

1. Your Initial Consultation The first step in pursuing a Lemon Law claim is to talk with an attorney for a free consultation. There is a lot you need to know about your claim, and an experienced California lemon law lawyer will provide answers to your questions.

2. Filing a Claim Against the Manufacturer If it appears that you have a viable lemon law case, your attorney will file a claim against the manufacturer. This starts the legal process, asserts your rights under California’s Lemon Law, and requests that the manufacturer provide your desired remedy.

3. Settlement Throughout the litigation process, it is possible that the manufacturer will agree to settle your claim. But, before accepting any settlement offer, it is critical to obtain thorough advice from your attorney. By settling, you will waive your right to seek additional compensation.

4. Litigation If the manufacturer refuses to settle your case, then your California lemon law attorney will need to prepare your case for trial. Going to court may be what it takes to enforce your rights, so you want to make sure that your attorney has the experience, ability, and willingness to go to trial if necessary to succeed with your claim.

• WHAT KINDS OF DEFECTS ARE COVERED BY THE LEMON LAW?

  Many different mechanical or electrical defects can give rise to a California Lemon Law claim. To qualify, the defect must affect the use, value or safety of the vehicle, but that doesn’t mean the defect has to be dangerous or lead to an injury accident. For example, malfunctioning mirrors could give rise to a claim or noise emanating from the vehicle’s undercarriage can form a basis for bringing a lemon law claim. Common types of defects that give rise to lemon law claims include:

  – Radio & Navigation problems
  – Electrical malfunctions
  – Faulty brakes
  – Unreliable steering
  – Chassis defects
  – Broken air conditioning/heating
  – Malfunctioning locks/seats/doors/mirrors
  – Fuel and oil leaks
  – Engine malfunctions
  – Transmission problems.

  This is just a small partial list. There are many more types of defects that could be legally actionable. If you are unsure whether your vehicle’s defect qualifies for a legal claim, contact our California lemon law lawyers to get answers.

• DOES MY VEHICLE QUALIFY UNDER THE CALIFORNIA LEMON LAW?

  California’s Lemon Law applies to cars, trucks, motorcycles, RVs and many other types of vehicles. To be eligible to file a Lemon Law claim, a vehicle is usually under warranty when the problem (or “defect”) occurs. However, repairs made to a vehicle out of warranty could count toward your claim as well. California’s Lemon Law applies to purchased and leased vehicles for both personal and business use, and applies to used vehicles.

• HOW MANY REPAIR ATTEMPTS DO I HAVE TO MAKE BEFORE I CAN FILE A CLAIM?

  There are no hard-and-fast rules for determining how many times you need to take your vehicle to a dealership for repair. The number of repair attempts you must give the dealership can vary depending on the defect and the circumstances involved. There is no set number or formula.

• WHICH LEMON LAW REMEDY?

  A successful lemon law claim allows you to obtain one of two primary remedies under the law, and a third option, which allows the consumer to keep the vehicle and accept cash compensation:

  Option A: Repurchase The manufacturer will take possession of the vehicle and issue you a refund of the purchase price (reduced by the value of your use of the vehicle prior to the first repair attempt). If you financed the vehicle, the manufacturer will refund the payments, down payment, and pay off the loan. You will also receive a refund of registration fees, taxes, etc. among other expenses.

  Option B: Replacement The manufacturer will take possession of the vehicle and provide you with a new one. It must be an identical or substantially similar vehicle. The manufacturer will pay the registration and taxes on the new vehicle, but you will not receive a refund of fees or finance charges paid on the original vehicle. This option requires the consent of both parties.

  In some circumstances, we may be able to negotiate an additional option called a “cash and keep.” This would allow you to retain possession of the vehicle and receive a cash payment to compensate for the defect.

• HOW MUCH MONEY AM I ENTITLED TO IF I OPT FOR A REPURCHASE?

  If your vehicle is a lemon and you opt for a repurchase, you will be entitled to a full refund of your down payment and any monthly finance payments and fees paid to date. You will also be entitled to have your vehicle loan paid off in full, including, shipping, taxes and DMV fees. If you incurred any incidental damages or out-of-pocket expenses, such as rental car expenses, repair costs, and towing expenses, you will be entitled to reimbursement of these as well.

• WILL THE MANUFACTURER GIVE ME A NEW VEHICLE?

  It depends. If your claim is successful (whether through settlement, mediation, or litigation), the two primary remedies available are repurchase and replacement. Which option (or options) you have will depend on a number of factors, including how you approach your claim and what the manufacturer is willing to offer. While some manufacturers will offer replacement vehicles, you may or may not want to try another one of the manufacturer’s cars, trucks, or SUVs.

• IS THERE A TIME LIMIT ON FILING A LEMON LAW CLAIM?

  Yes. The statute of limitations under California’s Lemon Law is four years, but don’t wait that long. If you have purchased or leased a lemon, start collecting copies of your repair bills and call our California lemon law lawyers right away. Any delay will only leave you frustrated.

MORE LEMON LAW FAQs