Whittier Lemon Law Attorneys
Serving Whittier, South Whittier, and East Whittier Car Owners With Lemon Law Cases
Nearly 90,000 Californians call Whittier home. Thousands more visit Whittier each day for work, recreational activities, or to see family and friends. Many of these residents and visitors rely on their vehicles for transportation.
If you or someone you know recently purchased or leased a car in East Whittier, South Whittier, La Mirada, La Habra, or Hacienda Heights, you expect the car to run smoothly and safely and free of defects. Although regular breakdowns can happen from normal wear and tear, dangerous car defects may be an underlying cause to the serious functional issues your car is experiencing. Don’t let the frustration disrupt your daily routine. California lemon law protects those who buy or lease lemon vehicles in Whittier and other California cities. Talk to our experienced Whittier lemon law attorneys today to discuss the best next steps for getting a replacement car or refund.
California Lemon Vehicle Statistics
In 2021, drivers registered nearly 7.7 million vehicles in Los Angeles County. Many of these vehicle registrations were new vehicles. These new vehicles had been leased or purchased from auto manufacturers or their dealerships.
Most new vehicles don’t become involved in lemon law claims. The California Public Interest Group’s Auto Lemon Index found that between 2018 and 2021, less than one-half of one percent (0.5%) of all new vehicle registrations ended up fighting for lemon law rights in court.
Most lemon law claims don’t go to trial. Many are settled out of court, and not all automakers make as many vehicles with unrepairable defects as other manufacturers or distributors.
Are Some Cars More Likely to be Lemons?
Between 2018 and 2021, the top five automakers most likely to be named in lemon law claims were:
- General Motors: one claim per 78 vehicles sold
- Jaguar Land Rover North America: one claim per 83 vehicles sold
- Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: one claim per 107 vehicles sold
- Nissan North America: one claim per 115 vehicles sold
- Ford Motor Company: one claim per 148 vehicles sold
Some automakers had a tenth as many claims at the other end of the scale – or even fewer. Toyota Motor Sales, for instance, was named in one claim per 2,029 vehicles sold.
Vehicles Covered by California’s Lemon Law
California’s lemon law does not apply to every vehicle or every problem. Instead, the rule applies only to cars bought or leased directly from a manufacturer or dealership. California’s lemon law covers the following:
- Cars, pickup trucks, SUVs, EVs, and vans bought new or certified pre-owned from a manufacturer or licensed dealership.
- Certain motorhome parts, including the chassis, cab, and drive train.
- Vehicles owned by dealerships.
- Vehicles bought or leased for personal use, or specific business uses.
The state’s lemon law may cover small business owners in Whittier if their business owns no more than five vehicles, including the suspected lemon. To be eligible for coverage under the lemon law, a business vehicle must have a gross weight or curb weight under 10,000 pounds.
Extended warranties, also known as extended service contracts, do not trigger the California lemon laws. To qualify, the warranty must be an original manufacturer’s warranty or a CPO warranty. Read your warranty information carefully and ask a lawyer if you have questions.
Am I covered?
Even if you’re not sure you have a lemon law claim, you can take steps to protect yourself and gather evidence. Start by collecting all the documentation related to your vehicle, and keep it together safely. Include information like:
- Copies of repair bills, towing bills, and other costs related to the vehicle.
- Your purchase documents.
- A log of any conversations you’ve had with the dealership or manufacturer. Include the date, time, whom you spoke to, and a sentence or two summarizing the discussion.
- A copy of your vehicle’s manual.
- Copies of any written correspondence you’ve had, like letters from the manufacturer.
This information can help you and your lawyer build a case for the compensation you deserve.
Compensation in California Lemon Law Claims
California’s lemon law provides at least three different types of compensation when a vehicle owner wins a lemon law claim. These three categories are:
A replacement vehicle or refund
These damages focus on the car itself. The vehicle owner may choose whether they want a substantially similar replacement vehicle from the manufacturer or a refund of the purchase price. Refunds are calculated according to a formula that appears in the California lemon law statute.
Incidental and consequential damages
These damages cover losses related to the lemon vehicle, but that isn’t the vehicle itself. For example, in addition to vehicle registration costs, if you’ve racked up hundreds in towing fees because your car keeps breaking down, those towing bills may fall under incidental and consequential damages. Another typical example is rental car fees or bus fare so you could travel even though your car was in the shop. You can also seek compensation for these losses in a lemon law claim.
Attorney's fees and costs
California’s lemon law requires automakers to pay a vehicle owner’s attorney’s fees and expenses if the vehicle owner prevails. Thus, hiring one the best experienced trial lawyers to help with your lemon law claim will cost nothing out of pocket. You can fight the auto industry’s army of attorneys with your own best lemon lawyer. Attorney’s fees and costs are paid in addition to other damages – you don’t have to pay your lawyer for your vehicle refund, for example.
Hire an Experienced Whittier Lemon Law Attorney Today
California lemon law allows vehicle owners to pursue claims with or without an attorney. However, working with an experienced lemon lawyer can maximize your chances of success – and it will cost you nothing out of pocket. Why fight the auto industry on your own when you can hire an experienced lemon law trial lawyer to fight for you.
California’s lemon law protects vehicle owners when their newly purchased or leased vehicle has a dangerous or persistent defect. Lemon car owners may seek a replacement vehicle, a refund, and other compensation for their losses.
How Payment is Determined For Attorney Fees
Often, owners of lemon vehicles have no or limited experience with the civil court system. They may worry about the cost of litigation and the expense of hiring an attorney, especially when they don’t know if they can win their case.
California lemon law protects vehicle owners who want to protect their rights but are uncertain how to do so without a lawyer’s help. When a vehicle owner wins their lemon law claim, California law requires the automaker to pay the vehicle owner’s expenses for hiring a lawyer. The best and most experienced lemon law attorneys do not charge you for the services or the costs of litigation. They work on a contingency basis and are paid only when they win the case.
What is Arbitration?
Arbitration is an alternative to trial. During arbitration, a neutral third party with experience handling lemon law cases, called the “arbitrator,” hears lawyers’ arguments, reviews the evidence, and makes a decision on a case. An arbitrator’s decision is often binding, which means that both you and the automaker must follow it. There is no jury and there is no appeal.
Arbitration can be a valuable alternative to trial in some cases. In lemon law claims, however, automakers often push for arbitration because arbitrators’ decisions tend to favor automakers – even when the vehicle’s owner has a legitimate claim under the state’s lemon laws.
An experienced Southern California lemon law attorney can explain why arbitration is or is not appropriate for your case and can fight for the best possible outcome.
California’s lemon law requires an automaker to pay for a vehicle owner or leaser’s attorney’s fees, costs, and expenses if their case succeeds.
A History of Results
Wirtz Law has successfully obtained recoveries for our clients in excess of $50 million.
$632,141.03
Our client, the plaintiff, purchased a brand new 2014 Focus for $40,007, including add-ons and financing. Within three days, the transmission began to slip and…
$204,824.91
Our client, Sam P. purchased a new 2010 BMW X5, as a premium luxury SUV to enjoy in his retirement and to use for safe…
$130,373.37
Matthew J. and Marisa J. bought a used 2011 Dodge Durango to be their primary family vehicle, to be used to drive to and from…
Client Testimonials
"I selected Wirtz Law to assist me with a series of problems I was having."
All in all they were easy to work with, and I appreciate their time and results. If I were ever in a similar situation I would definitely reach out to them again. I advise others to do the same…
‐ Chris R.
"Super professionals!"
My lemon law case was handled expertly, and I am very happy with the settlement I got. Thank you very much!
‐ Richard B.
"The team @ Wirtz Law are terrific."
Not only did they explain the process well, but they also delivered better than expected! We are recommending them to anyone who may need their service.
‐ Vix V.
"I cannot thank the Wirtz Law Firm enough for their help with my lemon law case."
From the moment I contacted them, Jessica was responsive, informative, and made us feel heard. They were able to navigate the complicated legal process with ease and fought for our rights as a consumer. Ultimately, their diligence and expertise…
‐ Jack D-L-T.
"I am so grateful for Wirtz Law group"
Especially Jessica Underwood, she was the most professional, most helpful, and most knowledgeable lawyer I have ever worked for. She worked non stop to get me the best outcome. She explained the process we were going through step by…
‐ Diana A.
"They were very professional"
They were very professional when they took my case VS. FORD after not repairing the mechanical problems with Warranty I sincerely recommend them. THANK YOU.
‐ Pedro M.
Contact Wirtz Law PC To Discuss The Next Steps for Your Lemon Law Case
If you are looking for a Whittier lemon law firm, look no further than Wirtz Law APC. If you have had enough, are fed up, and think your car is a lemon, call us at (858) 259-5009 for a free no obligation evaluation. If your vehicle is a lemon, we will take your case at no charge to you on a contingency fee basis. Wirtz Law APC provides one of the best lemon law attorney services everywhere in California, including Southern California, Northern California, Central California, and Eastern California.
If your EV, truck, car, hybrid, van, or SUV is experiencing substantial or repeated issues, speak with one of our Whittier lemon law attorneys at the Wirtz Law APC. Our firm focuses on helping Southern California consumers get the compensation they deserve after purchasing a lemon. Our team has a well-earned and well-deserved reputation as motor vehicle consumer advocates. Our Whittier lemon law team has a proven track record. We fight for our clients so that they receive the compensation they deserve. Contact us today to schedule your free case evaluation and learn more about your legal options
