What is California’s Lemon Law? This regulation protects people who purchase defective vehicles by requiring the manufacturer to refund the purchase price or replace the vehicle in some circumstances.
You can learn more about Lemon Laws with a Los Angeles defective product liability lawyer from our team at the Simmrin Law Group. Defective vehicles may cause accidents, and we can help you with such a situation.
You can call or complete our online contact form to learn more about cases involving defective vehicles.
Why does California Have a Lemon Law?
California has a Lemon Law to protect consumers from dealing with the tremendous costs associated with replacing a defective vehicle. Without the protections of a Lemon Law, motorists would have to accept the costs of buying a new vehicle while dealing with a defective product.
The manufacturer may push back against these laws if you owned the vehicle over 18 months or drove over 18,000 miles before you noticed the issue.
When does California’s Lemon Law Apply?
California’s Lemon Law requires the manufacturer to replace or refund a vehicle in some circumstances. Generally, the law only goes into effect if the car has a profound manufacturer’s defect and you try multiple times to repair it with no luck.
California does not have a set number of repair attempts associated with Lemon Law regulations. However, you may usually request financial compensation for a defective vehicle if:
- The problem remains after four repair attempts
- The problem remains after two repair attempts if the problem could result in serious bodily injury or death
- Your vehicle remained in a shop for 30 days without successful repairs
Remember that you can only seek compensation through Lemon Law protections if you bought a new vehicle covered by a manufacturer’s warranty.
Do You Have to Go to Court for a Lemon Law Case?
Generally, drivers don’t have to sue manufacturers to get compensation for defective cars covered by California’s Lemon Law. The process typically goes through a state-certified
arbitration program, instead.
However, you may end up filing a lawsuit if you own a defective vehicle that malfunctioned and caused an accident. In this situation, the car manufacturer may hold liability for the accident and may have to cover your expenses.
An injury lawyer for accidents caused by deadly defective vehicles in Los Angeles can help you after this kind of collision.
What Compensation Can You Get for a Defective Vehicle Accident?
You may receive funds to cover any of the expenses associated with an accident caused by a defective vehicle in California. Depending on your situation, a lawyer may bring you compensation for your:
- Current and long-term medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential
- Pain and emotional suffering
Additionally, the vehicle manufacturer may have to cover the costs of replacing your vehicle. You can learn more about available damages from a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer.
How do Lawyers Help With Claims Involving Defective Vehicles?
You can turn to a lawyer for help if you suspect that defects in your vehicle caused your car accident. For example, maybe the dealership tried to fix a problem with your brake system multiple times before a collision caused by the faulty braking system.
In this situation, a lawyer will gather evidence to show that the defect caused the collision. They may get documentation directly from repair shops and use information from California’s Lemon Law when building your claim.
Your lawyer may also look at other examples of similar defects in the same vehicle to see if the problem is widespread.
How do You Get Compensation for a Defective Vehicle Claim?
You have two primary options available to get compensation after an accident caused by a product defect. Sometimes, you can settle out of court with the insurance company, often getting damages in a few months.
In other situations, your lawyer may advise you to file a property liability lawsuit. Going to court for compensation often takes longer, but may allow you to secure compensation if the insurance company refuses to take you seriously.
Our team will go over all the facts about your situation and help you build a claim for compensation. We work quickly and have the resources to stand up to large car manufacturers and their insurance companies.
Speak to Us About California’s Lemon Law
What is California’s Lemon Law? This law gives people the chance to get a new vehicle if a manufacturer sells them a defective product. Our team at the Simmrin Law Group understands the damage defective vehicles can do on the road.
We’re ready to assist you after a defective product accident and can provide more detailed information about Lemon Laws. Call or complete our online contact form to learn more.