Hidden Valley Lake Lemon Law Attorneys

Top-Rated Lemon Law Attorneys Help Protect Your Legal Rights

Hidden Valley Lake was home to about 6,200 Californians as of the 2020 census. Located in California’s Lake County, Hidden Valley Lake enjoys sweeping natural views of the Coyote Valley. 

For many residents and visitors, Hidden Valley Lake represents the best of both worlds: small town living, yet located only two hours from San Francisco or Sacramento. Residents can thus enjoy California’s natural beauty while also accessing two of the state’s largest and most innovative urban areas. 

Due to Hidden Valley Lake’s location, many residents and workers there rely on their vehicles for transportation. When you buy or lease a car in Hidden Valley Lake, you expect it to be reliable. Ongoing maintenance issues and defects undermine this expectation – and can even put your safety and health at risk. 

If you suspect your vehicle is a lemon, don’t wait. Talk to the experienced Hidden Valley Lake lemon law attorneys at Wirtz Law APC today. 

California Lemon Law Basics

Every vehicle needs maintenance or repairs eventually. A “lemon” vehicle is one with persistent problems that the automaker can’t seem to fix or stop from happening, even after multiple repair attempts. 

In a lemon vehicle, issues aren’t caused by age or normal wear and tear. Rather, they result from flaws or defects in the vehicle itself – whether or not the dealership can diagnose or fix them. 

California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act is also known as the “lemon law.” The law protects vehicle owners when they inadvertently buy or lease a lemon vehicle. The law’s protections apply when the automaker can’t fix the problem despite multiple repair attempts. 

Vehicles qualify for lemon law protection when a problem or defect impairs the “use, safety, or value” of the vehicle. California’s lemon law also lays out warranty requirements, vehicle owner and automaker obligations, what counts as a “defect,” and what compensation owners can seek. 

Vehicles Covered By California Lemon Law

Most “at retail” vehicle purchases are made at dealerships in California. Some are made directly by the vehicle manufacturer. Buying a vehicle from a third party, such as a neighbor or an independent used car dealership, typically does not qualify the vehicle for lemon law protection.

A vehicle is typically covered by the California lemon law if the owner:

• Bought or leased the vehicle at retail in California, and
• Bought or leased the vehicle for personal, family, or household use. 

In most cases, the owner must purchase the vehicle in California to qualify for California lemon law protection. However, the law makes an exception for active duty service members of the U.S. armed forces. Service members stationed in California may file a lemon law claim even if they bought their vehicle in another state.

Similarly, the “personal, family, or household use” rule generally applies. Certain small businesses can file lemon law claims, however. The business must own five or fewer vehicles, and the lemon vehicle must have a curb weight under 10,000 pounds. Businesses that do not meet these requirements aren’t covered by lemon law, though they may have other legal options. 

Automaker Obligations Under California Lemon Law

If a Hidden Valley Lake vehicle owner suspects a problem, their first step should be to take the vehicle to a dealership. California’s lemon law allows an automaker a “reasonable number of repair attempts” to fix any issues. 

“Reasonable” isn’t an exact number. Rather, it depends on the specifics of the defects in the vehicle and the repairs attempted.  A reasonable number can be a few as two attempts at repairing the vehicle, and even if no repair is performed by the dealership, that presentation counts as a repair attempt.  

California lemon law also allows a vehicle owner to calculate the “reasonable number of repair attempts” based on the time the vehicle is out of service. If the vehicle sits at a dealership for repairs for more than thirty days, a court may decide the automaker has had long enough to fix the issue, whether or not the dealership actually did any work. The thirty days do not have to be consecutive. 

Defining a “Defect” in California Lemon Law

An issue becomes a defect when it compromises your ability to use, operate safely in, or resell your vehicle. Defects can affect any vehicle system. Some defects affect multiple systems simultaneously.

• Battery problems
• Engine performance issues
• Steering problems
• Brake issues
• Computer and sensor malfunctions
• Heating and air conditioning problems, and defects in the frame and other parts, are all commonly found in California lemon law cases. 

Look closely at any vehicle, and you can probably find a few minor issues. Tiny scratches, subtle variations in the color of seat fabric, or places where two pieces don’t quite align are typical, even in brand-new vehicles. Slight differences in color or minor scratches don’t affect your ability to use the vehicle, affect your safety systems, or reduce the vehicle’s total value. When you continuously have issues with your vehicle, it’s time to talk to an experienced Hidden Valley Lake lemon law attorney. 

Time Limits for Lemon Law Claims

California sets limits on the time available to file a lemon law claim in court. Under the state’s lemon law, a vehicle owner has until 1 year after the express warranty period expires, but no more than six years to file their lawsuit from the date of delivery. Six years can feel like a long time. Yet weeks and months may slip by while you deal with the dealership, wrangle alternative transportation, argue about compensation, or try to evaluate an offer from the automaker. Importantly, if you have bought or leased a vehicle with a 10 year warranty, you are only protected for 6 of those years under the California lemon law.

Speak to an attorney as soon as possible. Your Hidden Valley Lake lemon lawyer can gather evidence while it’s still fresh and build a case for the compensation you need – now. 

Compensation in a Lemon Law Case

The costs of a lemon vehicle add up quickly. In addition to paying for the vehicle, you may face thousands of dollars in registration and insurance costs, towing bills, and other expenses – for a car you can’t even drive. The thought of hiring a lawyer on top of those costs can feel overwhelming. 

The California lemon law acknowledges that the costs associated with a lemon vehicle can be substantial. The law allows vehicle owners to recover compensation in three broad categories: the vehicle, other out-of-pocket expenses, and attorney’s fees.

Refund or Replacement

Many Hidden Valley Lake residents are familiar with California’s “refund or replacement” requirement. This lemon law provision requires an automaker to offer the vehicle owner a choice: A refund of the purchase price minus some expenses, or a replacement vehicle. The vehicle owner, not the automaker, has the choice. 

The refund is also known as the “buyback” requirement. The automaker takes back the defective vehicle. In exchange, they refund the purchase price, minus some costs. The total is determined by a formula included in the California lemon law. 

If the owner chooses a replacement vehicle, the automaker must provide a “substantially similar’ replacement – one that is defect-free. Some owners choose a replacement because they still believe in the vehicle model and brand. They believe they made a solid choice; they just had bad luck with the particular vehicle they purchased.

Which one should you choose? A Hidden Valley Lake lemon law attorney can help you calculate the difference, assess your situation, and make the best decision for you. 

Out-of-Pocket Costs

Lemon vehicles are very efficient at one thing: Emptying your wallet. Vehicle registration and insurance can be expensive – and when the vehicle just sits at the service center, you may feel like you’re paying those costs for nothing. When a defect makes your vehicle undriveable, towing fees can reach hundreds or thousands of dollars. Rental car costs, taxi and rideshare fees, bus fare, and other expenses add up as well. 

California’s lemon law calls these costs “incidental and consequential damages.” The law allows you to seek compensation for them in a lemon law claim. Hang on to paperwork related to your vehicle, like towing bills, rideshare fee receipts, and similar expenses, to help prove your right to compensation for your out-of-pocket costs. 

Attorney Fees

Many lemon vehicle owners feel stuck between a rock and a hard place. They just spent tens of thousands of dollars on a new vehicle – and now they fear that they need to pay for an attorney’s fees as well. For some families, the additional cost is simply too much. The household goes without compensation rather than pay for an attorney. 

California’s lemon law recognizes this problem. That’s why, when a vehicle owner succeeds in a lemon law claim, the law requires the automaker to pay their attorney’s fees. For many Hidden Valley Lake residents, this means you can hire an experienced lemon lawyer while paying little or nothing out of pocket. 

Speak to Our Top-Rated Hidden Valley Lake Lemon Lawyers at Wirtz Law APC Today!

Automakers employ armies of attorneys and law firms whose sole focus is to prevent buybacks and replacements, even when the vehicle is qualified and you have a valid claim.

Level the playing field. Speak to an experienced Hidden Valley Lake lemon law firm today. The team at Wirtz Law APC will help you fight for the compensation you deserve.