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Palm Springs Lemon Law Lawyer

Palm Springs Lemon Law Attorney

Richard M. Wirtz is a top Lemon Law attorney serving Palm Springs, CA.

760-970-8612
Riverside County (Murrieta) Jury Finds FCA Committed Fraud and Awards $137,238.75, including 2x Civil Penalty for Defective 2011 Dodge Durango under California Lemon Law
Riverside County (Palm Springs) Jury Awards a Full Buyback of $35,450 Against Kia for Defective 2012 Sorrento under California Lemon Law
Wirtz Law APC Wins 1st Fraud Judgment in US against Ford Motor Company for $632,141.03 for a 2014 Focus DPS6 Transmission
Orange County Jury Awards $103,001.16, including 2x Civil Penalty against FCA for Defective 2012 Dodge Durango under California Lemon Law
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Richard M. Wirtz is our recommended Palm Springs Lemon Law attorney. 760-970-8612

Disclosure: We may receive compensation from this attorney.

About Richard M. Wirtz

Richard Wirtz, the founder and managing attorney of Wirtz Law APC, is renowned for his remarkable expertise in lemon law and his extensive achievements as a trial attorney. Based in California, he is dedicated to ensuring consistent and favorable outcomes for his clients through his lemon law firm.

Mr. Wirtz's legal journey has been marked by a commitment to community justice and advancement. He commenced his own firm, Wirtz Law APC, in 1995 after opposing Fortune 500 Companies in high-profile class actions, notably concerning securities fraud, consumer protection, and intricate business matters.

His influence extends beyond the courtroom – Mr. Wirtz notably defended the United Farm Workers Union against wrongful boycott charges during Cesar Chavez's final days. He's also a sought-after legal expert, sharing insights on local television and radio shows.

Beginning with class action cases and expanding to Wirtz Law APC, initially centered on trademark, business, and employment litigation, his expertise has grown exponentially. He has litigated cases locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally since 1988. Representing various clients from consumers to corporations, he's faced global giants like Google, Walmart, and Mercedes-Benz.

Mr. Wirtz's practice took a significant turn in 2014 when he began regularly handling California Lemon Law cases, a shift propelled by his proven success. This experienced lawyer's lawyer has lent his skills to firms like The Cochran Firm and Knight Law Group, earning respect for his legal prowess.

A graduate of the University of San Diego (J.D., 1987) and Knox College (B.A., History, 1984), Mr. Wirtz maintains an "AV Preeminent" rating by Martindale-Hubbell and has been consistently recognized as a Super Lawyer since 2012. His passion for law, dedication to clients' prosperity, and exceptional achievements define his impactful legal career.

What it's Like Working With Our Recommended Lemon Law attorney serving Palm Springs, CA

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Lemon Law Attorney

Richard M. Wirtz

760-970-8612

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4370 La Jolla Village Dr #800, San Diego, CA 92122

About Palm Springs Lemon Law

Buying a car can be an exciting time. That said, car buyers typically place a significant amount of trust in the dealer or private party they are buying from. Modern vehicles are extremely complicated machines, and it's nearly impossible for the average consumer to be able to accurately evaluate a vehicle's condition prior to purchase. If one of the topics discussed in this article sounds familiar, hire a lemon law attorney in Palm Springs.

Fortunately, all 50 states have some form of “lemon laws.” These statutes protect recent car-buyers who find that their purchase isn’t meeting common performance and quality standards. However, there are many different caveats and requirements within the lemon laws that consumers will need to be aware of to use them to their full advantage.

What is a Lemon Law?

Part of the role of the government is to protect consumers against fraud and deceptive practices, especially when thousands of dollars are involved. Lemon laws are federal and state (California) laws that protect car buyers if they have purchased a vehicle or even another item with severe defects or mechanical issues. As with any law, there are specific lemon law lawyers in Palm Springs that specialize in this arena. The top Palm Springs lemon law attorney is ready to help.

When a car buyer realizes there is a mechanical or other warrantied issue with the vehicle, they need to bring it to the attention of the dealership or manufacturer. Under most state lemon laws, the vehicle’s manufacturer or dealer is allowed a chance to fix the issues before the buyer can escalate the situation further. If the problem isn’t adequately addressed, the car buyer usually has the right to a refund or a new car. These laws apply whether the dealer or manufacturer was knowingly trying to defraud the consumer or not. However, if repairs don’t fix the issue or they refuse to take care of the issue for the buyer, the buyer can exercise their legal rights.

Lemon Law Requirements Vary Per State

Generally, the basics of a lemon law are the same no matter where you purchase a vehicle. Lemon laws help ensure that those who make a significant purchase like a vehicle have protections in place. Even though the buyer isn’t generally entitled to a refund or a new vehicle immediately, California lemon laws provide an avenue for the situation to be rectified in their favor.

Like many other legal issues, each state has its own set of lemon laws. The way the laws are applied can vary from one state to the next, making it critical to understand and rely upon the lemon laws specific to the state where you made your purchase. Most consumers turn to a local Palm Springs lemon law attorney to help them in this process, and you can too.

Breakdown of California Lemon Law

California’s lemon laws cover new cars. If there is still some time on the manufacturer’s warranty, it can also cover used vehicles. It generally applies to dealer-owned vehicles and demonstrators, purchased or leased vehicles used for personal, family, household, and commercial business. It doesn’t cover off-road vehicles or others that aren’t registered under the California Vehicle Code.

In this state, the lemon law is only activated once a “reasonable” number of repair attempts are made. This so-called Lemon Law Presumption requires that:

  • The vehicle’s issues are covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.
  • The issues happened within 18 months of delivery or within 18,000 miles, whichever came first—although some major defects after this time could be covered.
  • The car’s problems reduce its use, value, or safety to you, and they didn’t arise from abuse.
  • You have notified the manufacturer about the problems, preferably in writing, if the warranty or owner’s manual requires this step.

Why Do I Need the Best Palm Springs Lemon Law Lawyer?

Buying a vehicle is one of the most significant purchases you could make in your lifetime. Naturally, you want, deserve, and pay for a reliable set of wheels. New cars that have constant mechanical issues could be “lemons.”

If you’ve purchased a car that isn’t performing correctly, you have rights. A top Palm Springs lemon lawyer can advocate for those rights and help you in many ways. They are well-versed in California lemon laws and can explain how they apply to your specific situation. Your lemon lawyer in Palm Springs can ensure that you keep careful documentation that will help support your claim in court.

Without a top Palm Springs lemon lawyer on your side, your vehicle’s manufacturer may take advantage of you. They may convince you to agree to yet another repair or to accept a nominal cash deal when you are legally entitled to a full refund. Your Palm Springs lemon law attorney can help you get this refund and define the manufacturer’s obligations to you. They can be your liaison with the manufacturer’s attorney using their experience to obtain the best outcome in your circumstances.

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760-970-8612

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