Do I Need a Lawyer for California Lemon Law?

What is the approximate value of your vehicle?

How many repair attempts have been made for the same problem?

Has the manufacturer already denied your lemon law claim?

Is your vehicle still under the original manufacturer warranty?

Do you have documentation of all repair attempts?

How comfortable are you negotiating with large corporations?

What outcome are you hoping for?

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You Can Likely Handle This Yourself

Based on your answers, your case appears straightforward enough to pursue without an attorney. A well-crafted demand letter is often all you need.

Why DIY makes sense for your case:

Your documentation is strong
The manufacturer hasn't yet denied your claim
Your case meets clear Song-Beverly Act criteria
You're comfortable advocating for yourself

Generate Free Demand Letter

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You Should Consult a Lemon Law Attorney

Your case has complexities that would benefit from professional legal help. The good news: most lemon law attorneys work on contingency (no upfront cost).

Why an attorney makes sense:

Higher-value vehicles require experienced negotiation
Manufacturer denial requires legal escalation
Missing documentation needs legal strategy
Warranty issues add complexity

Book $125 Consultation Find a Lemon Law Attorney Or Try Demand Letter First

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Consider Starting with a Demand Letter

Your case falls in a gray area. We recommend starting with a demand letter - it's free and often works. If the manufacturer doesn't respond favorably, then consult an attorney.

Recommended approach:

Send a formal demand letter first (free)
Give manufacturer 30 days to respond
If denied or lowballed, consult an attorney
Your demand letter becomes evidence for the attorney

Generate Free Demand Letter Find Attorney (Backup)

California Lemon Law: DIY vs. Hiring an Attorney

California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (the "Lemon Law") is one of the strongest consumer protection laws in the country. But does that mean you need a lawyer to use it?

When You Can Handle It Yourself

Clear-cut cases: 4+ repair attempts for the same defect, or 30+ days out of service
Vehicle still under warranty with complete repair documentation
Manufacturer hasn't denied your claim yet
Lower-value vehicles where attorney fees might not make economic sense

When You Should Hire a Lawyer

High-value vehicles: Luxury cars, trucks over $50K - manufacturers fight harder
Manufacturer denial: Once denied, you're in adversarial territory
Warranty disputes: They claim warranty doesn't apply
Missing documentation: Lawyers know how to obtain dealer records
Complex defects: Intermittent issues, safety concerns, or disputed causes

Cost Comparison

Approach	Cost	Typical Outcome
DIY Demand Letter	Free	Works in ~40% of straightforward cases
Lemon Law Attorney	Usually free (contingency)	Higher settlements, manufacturer pays attorney fees
BBB Auto Line (Arbitration)	Free	Mixed results, binding on manufacturer only

The Smart Approach

For most consumers, we recommend a two-step approach:

Step 1: Send a formal demand letter. It's free, establishes your claim, and often works.
Step 2: If denied or offered an unfair settlement, consult an attorney. Your demand letter becomes valuable evidence.

Remember: Under California law, if you win your lemon law case, the manufacturer must pay your attorney's fees. This is why most lemon law attorneys work on contingency.