When you left the lot with your new Volkswagen or Audi, it was a proud and hopeful day as you thought about the ways your car would enhance your life. Unfortunately, those dreams have turned into a nightmare due to a defect with your car that the dealership is unable to fix. So, what can you do after multiple repair attempts that haven’t gotten you anywhere? Are you stuck with a car that’s significantly reduced in value, or even worse, is unsafe to drive?
Depending on the circumstances, you may be entitled to compensation from the manufacturer under the California lemon law. However, the process of filing a lemon claim is complicated, and many people end up making mistakes that cause them to lose out on their rights. To help you understand the legal process, we will go over the steps you will need to take in order to proceed with a lemon claim. But please keep in mind that we can only provide general information, and it’s likely that you will have questions that are specific to your own case. For more information on your rights and legal options, contact us for a free case evaluation.
- As soon as you notice a problem, schedule a repair with the dealership.
If you can’t go back to the dealership where you bought your vehicle, contact the manufacturer and verify the closest repair center in your area. Why is this important? Under the lemon law, the manufacturer must be aware of the problem with your car, as well as any repair attempts. If you take your car to a non-authorized repair shop or attempt to fix it yourself, they can simply say that they were unaware of the issue with your car. That may be enough to void your warranty, as well as your right to a lemon settlement.
- Give the dealership a reasonable number of repair attempts.
It’s frustrating to bring your car back to the repair shop again and again, but the manufacturer must be given a reasonable number of chances to repair your vehicle. As a general rule, you should allow 4 repair attempts before you proceed with a lemon claim. On the other hand, if it’s a defect that will likely cause injury or death, the issue must be fully repaired in no more than 2 attempts. Alternatively, if your car has been in the repair center for 30 days or more for the same issue, that can serve as grounds for a lemon complaint.
- Gather evidence to support your claim.
Make sure to keep all paperwork and documentation related to your car, no matter how insignificant it may seem. Helpful evidence includes: your original purchase or lease agreement, your car’s warranty, repair orders, invoices, and receipts. Emails and texts should be saved as well if they’re between you and the manufacturer / dealership. Finally, keep records to show all your out of pocket expenses, like towing fees and rental car services. If you’ve been injured from an accident due to your VW or Audi’s defect, make sure to save all your medical records as well.
- Contact a lawyer who can guide you through the claims process.
If you research the process to file a California lemon claim, it won’t be long before you are confused and wondering about the rights steps to take. This is due to the fact that there is more than one way to proceed with these cases. However, a consumer is unlikely to know what the best option is unless they have extensive experience with the state’s lemon law. This is where a California lemon law attorney comes in, and here at Guardian Lemon Law, we have what it takes you bring you maximum payment in a lawsuit against the manufacturer. Please take moment to give us a call and learn about the ways we can assist you.
What you can Receive from a Successful Lemon Claim
So, now that you have an idea of how the legal process works, let’s go over the types of restitution you can receive. If you are awarded compensation through a lemon case, you can choose between a replacement vehicle or a refund of the purchase price, minus a mileage offset deduction, which accounts for the approximate miles you racked up on the car prior to the first repair attempt. There’s a formula to calculate this usage, but Volkswagen may try to get away with deducting a high amount of usage.
A lemon law lawyer can protect you from these tactics and ensure that you receive the full value of your losses. These losses may include out of pocket costs, medical bills, lost wages, and other damages you would not have incurred had you received a fully functioning Volkswagen or Audi. However, there’s no denying that you will face resistance from the manufacturer when it comes to incidental costs, especially if an accident is involved. Such claims are extremely challenging to resolve, but our attorneys have the knowledge and experience to help you succeed in these cases. Contact Guardian Lemon Law for a free case review with one of our legal experts.
How much is a VW-Audi Lemon Claim Worth?
This is a question that we can only answer after a thorough review of your case. Frankly, determining the value of a lemon case is a complicated procedure, and it’s hard to say what these cases are worth on average. If we consider previous settlements and verdicts we’ve achieved for clients over the years, a lemon settlement is likely to fall between $25,000 and $150,000. However, if the case involves a personal injury claim, there may be a significant increase in the compensation you are due. These cases often bring in $250,000 to over $1 million, depending on the severity of your injuries and the degree of negligence by the auto manufacturer. Keep in mind that these are estimates, which may not reflect the value of your own damages in a lemon claim against Volkswagen Auto Group (owner of VW and Audi). A Los Angeles lemon attorney at our office can help you figure out the value of your case.
How long do I have to File a Lemon Claim?
This is another area of confusion for most claimants, as the law simply says you have 4 years to sue the manufacturer if your car turns out to be a lemon. But when does the 4-year time period start? That depends on the type of claim you are pursuing, as well as the terms of your vehicle’s warranty. That means your SOL may start from the first repair attempt, or from the date that your warranty expires. Sometimes, the 4-year window starts from the date you bought or leased the vehicle. As this is a very important, but complicated subject, please contact us right away to verify the deadline for your lemon claim.
How long does it take to Settle a Lemon Case?
There is no universal answer when it comes to the amount of time it will take to settle a VW or Audi lemon claim. Here at Guardian, it’s our goal to recover your payment within 3 to 6 months. Sometimes we can achieve resolution in as little as 30 days, but in reality, most cases take longer. More complex lemon cases, like those involving injuries from an accident, will probably take over a year from start to finish.
Second Opinion on Active Lemon Cases
You may have been to another doctor for a second opinion, but what if you have questions or doubts about a pending legal case? If you are need of a fresh pair of eyes to review your claim, don’t hesitate to give us call. Some clients that come and see us walk away with reassurance that their case is on the right path. Others find that there are serious issues, often due to their lawyer’s apathy or incompetence. Switching your lawyer is an option if you are in this situation, but there’s no pressure to take any action that you’re not 100% sure about. Our main goal is to educate you on your legal rights, which is why there is no charge for a second opinion at our law firm. If you’re ready to consult one of our lemon attorneys, contact us for a free second opinion.
Contact us for a Free Case Evaluation
Finding yourself with a lemon is an extremely stressful experience, and it’s hard to know where to turn if you need help with a VW or Audi lemon claim. The attorneys of Guardian Lemon Law Group are here for you with our many years of experience in lemon cases throughout California. We are more than ready for the challenge of representing you and achieving justice for the harm you’ve suffered.
All you have to do is contact us for a free case evaluation, where you can learn about your legal options and the methods we will use to recover your settlement. If you decide to work with us, you pay absolutely nothing, as the law allows us to charge the manufacturer for our expenses. Even better, our Zero fee guarantee ensures that you will not be responsible for any legal fees, even if we lose your case.
Our lemon law lawyers are here for your 24/7, so contact us to get started on a lemon claim for a defective Volkswagen or Audi vehicle.
