Chino Hills Lemon Law Lawyer

When your car keeps breaking down and the dealership can’t fix it after multiple tries, you may have a lemon. California’s Lemon Law helps drivers in Chino Hills who’ve bought defective vehicles by forcing manufacturers to make things right. However, these laws can be tough to deal with on your own.

An experienced Chino Hills lemon law lawyer from Neale & Fhima APC can guide you through the process. We’ve handled many lemon law cases for local residents, and we offer free consultations. Contact us today to learn your options.

What is California’s Lemon Law?

California’s Lemon Law comes from a law called the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. This law gives people the right to ask for a replacement or refund if they’ve bought or leased a vehicle with serious problems that the manufacturer can’t fix. The law covers both new and used vehicles as long as a warranty is still in effect.

Which Vehicles Are Covered Under California Lemon Law

Lemon law protection applies to many types of vehicles, including cars, trucks, and SUVs that are bought or leased in California for personal, family, or household use. Some vehicles used for work also qualify if they meet certain conditions, such as being under a certain weight and part of a small fleet. If you bought a used car with a warranty from a dealer, and it keeps having problems, you might be protected.

Timeline Requirements for Lemon Law Claims

To file a lemon law claim, the defect must happen during the warranty period. You don’t need to complete the claim before the warranty expires, but you do need to report the issue while the warranty is still active. After that, you have a set amount of time to act, which we’ll explain later.

How Do I Know If My Vehicle Qualifies as a Lemon?

Not every car problem qualifies under lemon law. The problem has to be serious enough to affect how safe the car is, how well it works, or how much it’s worth. For example, if your brakes keep failing while driving through Chino Hills State Park or your transmission slips on Butterfield Ranch Road, that may count.

Reasonable Number of Repair Attempts

You also have to give the dealership a fair number of chances to fix the problem. This usually means two or more tries for safety issues or four or more tries for other defects. If the problem continues, you might have a lemon.

Out of Service Time Requirements

Another sign is when your car spends too much time in the shop. If your vehicle has been out of service for 30 or more days during the warranty period, even if it’s for different problems, it may qualify. Keep all repair orders and receipts to help your case.

The California Lemon Law Process

Start by gathering all your repair records, warranty documents, and anything you’ve received from the dealership. This paper trail shows how often the car’s been in the shop and what the dealer did each time.

Manufacturer Notification

Before filing a legal claim, you usually need to give the manufacturer a final chance to fix the issue. That may involve a written notice or just more repair attempts, depending on your situation.

Arbitration vs. Legal Action

Some manufacturers offer arbitration as a way to settle disputes. It might sound quick and easy, but you don’t have to agree to it. Sometimes, it leads to results that aren’t fair to you. Filing a legal claim with help from an attorney often puts more pressure on the manufacturer to act.

What Compensation Can I Receive?

If your car qualifies as a lemon, you may be able to get a replacement vehicle. The manufacturer must provide one that’s the same or similar, and it should come with the same warranty and features.

Refund Calculations

You could also get a refund for the amount you paid for the vehicle, including taxes, registration, and fees. The manufacturer might subtract a small amount for the miles you drove before the defect showed up.

Attorney Fees and Costs Coverage

If your case is valid under lemon law, the manufacturer pays your attorney’s fees and legal costs. That way, you don’t have to cover those costs out of pocket just to make things right.

Why Do I Need a Chino Hills Lemon Law Attorney?

Lemon law cases involve strict rules, tight timelines, and pushback from manufacturers. You don’t have to sort it out alone. Our team handles the legal steps for you and keeps the process on track.

Maximizing Your Compensation

Manufacturers sometimes offer buyback amounts that leave out fees or lowball the refund. A lawyer makes sure the final deal includes what you’re owed, down to the last detail.

Dealing with Manufacturer Legal Teams

Automakers usually have legal teams that try to delay or deny claims. With our firm’s experience, we know how to push back and hold them accountable. Whether your car broke down on Grand Avenue or developed engine issues near Chino Hills High School, we’re ready to help.

Common Lemon Law Mistakes to Avoid

• Inadequate Documentation: Throwing away repair orders or failing to write down dates and problems weakens your case. Keep copies of everything, even text messages with the service department.
• Missing Deadlines: Waiting too long after the warranty period or letting the statute of limitations run out can cost you your claim.
• Accepting Inadequate Settlement Offers: Some people accept low settlement amounts just to end the problem. That often leaves money on the table. Always get legal advice before agreeing to anything.

How Long Do I Have to File a Lemon Law Claim?

You generally have four years to file a lemon law claim in California. That time starts when you first notice the defect, not when you bought the car.

Warranty Period Considerations

Even though you have four years, the defect must appear during the warranty period. Pay attention to both timelines so your claim stays valid.

Contact Our Lemon Law Attorneys in Chino Hills Now

If your vehicle keeps breaking down, take action before time runs out. The lemon law attorneys at Neale & Fhima APC offer free consultations to drivers in Chino Hills and throughout Southern California. We don’t charge upfront fees, and you don’t owe anything unless we recover money or a vehicle replacement from the manufacturer.

Our team has worked on lemon law claims for drivers near Los Serranos, Carbon Canyon, and other parts of Chino Hills. Call 949-661-1007 now to get started. We’ll review your case and help you move forward.