Wirtz Law Blog

Congratulations! You’ve won your Lemon Law lawsuit against a car manufacturer or dealership. You, unfortunately, had a car that was a “lemon” and needed repeated repairs or had issues that couldn’t be fixed. At this point, you may have been able to return the car for the full purchase price.

However, after you’ve won the lawsuit, what else can you expect? Every case is different, but there are a few things that typically happen.

What happens after my Lemon Law settlement?

The law states that you’ll receive a full refund of the purchase price of your vehicle. However, this isn’t as simple as getting your money back as you would when returning something to a store. You may have a few different options for a replacement or a refund.

In addition to having the car purchase refunded or replaced, you may be awarded a settlement to cover your legal costs and the money you spent getting your car repaired. If you had to use a rideshare or taxi to get to and from work, you may receive reimbursement for those costs, too.

Choose a Replacement or a Refund

If you win your case, you will receive damages or the amount of a refund for your vehicle. If you don’t buy the same vehicle with your award, no one will blame you! You can use the refund of the damage to buy a different make or model. 

Under California law, you’ll receive the full contract price of the car, incidental damages, and any collateral costs, such as sales tax, finance charges, interest, license fees, and manufacturer add-ons.

You may also opt for a replacement vehicle, skipping the need to car shop again. There is nothing wrong with trying the same make and model again. After all, you did select it originally. Under the law, you are entitled to an equivalent vehicle. It may not be the same year, but it will be similar. When exchanging the vehicle, however, you do need to select one that’s new and within a similar price range (using the MSRP as a guideline). The manufacturer will be responsible for the sales tax and licensing fees.

You May Receive a Reimbursement of Your Expenses

If you’ve hired a reputable attorney to represent you in your lemon lawsuit, then you don’t have to worry about paying their bills if you win. Under California’s Lemon Law, the automaker pays your attorney fees and costs.  

You may also receive reimbursement for any expenses, including those related to repairing the car, such as the cost of a tow truck, rental cars, your time spent going to the mechanic, or costs of getting around while your vehicle was in the shop. Make sure that you save all of your receipts for fixing the car and give them to your lawyer.

Have You Purchased a Lemon of a Car?

If you are having problems with your car, especially if you’re still under warranty for the vehicle, you have options. For more information, call the experienced trial attorneys at (858) 259-5009 for a free case evaluation. Our team has in-depth knowledge about California lemon laws, and we’re here to protect your interests!