Distracted Driving

3 Ways to Reduce Smartphone Distractions While Behind the Wheel

Smartphones are not the only distraction for drivers, but they are the one that gets the most attention. Perhaps this is because nearly every person has one, and we seem to find it difficult to stop looking at them over and over throughout the day. Have you ever taken your phone out of your pocket to check the time and then put it away a few minutes later and then realized you still don’t know what time it is? Then you understand what we mean.

But when driving, smartphone distractions can become deadly, so here are a few ways to stay focused:

• Use Bluetooth – Making a hands-free call or having your phone read a text over the car stereo system is still distracting, but at least you don’t have to take your eyes off the road or your hands off the wheel. If you absolutely need to make calls while driving, this is the best way to do it.
• Use DND mode – Most phones have a do not disturb, focus, or driving mode. Use these settings to limit what your phone will notify you about while driving. Some settings even allow you to reply with an autoresponder that lets the person know you are driving and will check their message when you arrive.
• Turn it off – This is the safest and most effective method of avoiding distraction.

If You Have Been Injured by a Distracted Driver in CA

California is a tort state which means the at-fault driver is on the hook for all damages caused. Petrov Law Firm can help you to get the best settlement from a car insurance company to cover your medical bills and other expenses. Give us a call today at 619.344.0360 to get started.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Motor Vehicle Accidents?

The NHTSA (National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration) has reported in the past that most car accidents occur due to human error, making the subsequent injuries avoidable. Poor decision-making accounts for more than 90% of crashes, which means that in a tort state like California, there is usually evidence to place blame on one of the drivers. Here are three of the main reasons accidents occur.

• Distracted driving – Smartphone use may be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a distracted driver. However, drivers found ways to be distracted long before modern technology. A driver may be too busy fiddling with the radio, smoking, eating, or applying makeup to pay attention to the road, and that can lead to an accident in the blink of an eye.
• DUI – This term is most often associated with drinking and driving. However, it can also refer to someone driving while under the influence of any type of drug, either legal or illicit. And while it doesn’t count as DUI, driving while drowsy can also significantly slow a person’s reaction time.
• Driving too fast – Speeding is the top cause of serious injuries. The faster a driver is going, the more likely they are to cause serious damage to any vehicle they collide with.

Car Accident Attorneys in San Diego

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident in southern California, contact the personal injury attorneys at Petrov Law Firm. We can help you to maximize the settlement you receive from the insurance company. Call 619.344.0360 to get started today.

Safe Driving Practices to Protect Your Family

In the state of California, you never want to be the one at fault in a motor vehicle accident because this is a tort state. However, you have an even better reason to drive as safely as possible. You want to protect your family and others both in your vehicle and in others on the road. Here are a few safe driving tips.

• Follow the laws of the road – These laws are in place to protect drivers and passengers. One of the most vital laws to obey is the speed limit. The worst accidents and injuries occur when one or more drivers are moving at high speeds.
• Don’t drive angry – Road rage is responsible for many unsafe driving behaviors. Even if another driver cuts you off, drives too close, or flies by at high speeds, you need to think about what is best for the people in your car. That means remaining calm and continuing following the traffic laws to the best of your ability.
• Remove distractions – There are so many things that can distract a driver. The fewer distractions you allow for yourself, the more you can stay focused on the road. While your phone is the worst distraction, but there are many other things to avoid doing while driving.

When You Have Been Injured in a Motor Vehicle Accident

Petrov Law Firm is here to help car accident injury victims in southern California. Contact our San Diego office today at 619.344.0360 and get in touch with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys.

4 Dangerous Practices Drivers Need to Avoid

You don’t want to be the one at fault if you are ever in a car accident in California. This is a tort state, meaning that the at-fault driver is on the hook for the damages. Here are some common practices that could cause a judge to view you as the party at blame for the accident.

• Speeding – This is the underlying cause of most accidents, especially ones that are fatal or do a lot of damage. Be sure to obey speed limit laws, and don’t be afraid to drive slower if road conditions are not good.
• Distracted driving – From smartphone use to putting on makeup to dashboard dining, there is no limit to the things that could distract you behind the wheel. A good rule of thumb is that when you are the driver, all you should be doing is driving.
• Tailgating – Be sure to leave a car length between you and the vehicle in front of you for every 10 miles per hour you are driving. Remember that big trucks and motorcycles can’t stop as fast as cars.
• Road rage – No matter what another driver does that upsets you, don’t get aggressive. Not only can this lead to an accident, but it could also cause the other driver to become more aggressive with you.

When You Experience an Injury Due to a Dangerous Driver

Petrov Law Firm is here to help car accident victims in the state of California. Contact our experienced personal injury attorneys today by calling 619.344.0360.

Three Driving Habits to Avoid to Keep Your Family Safe

You may not be able to control the behavior of other drivers, but there are certain things you can avoid to keep your family safe on the road. Here are three important things to remember.

1. Never drink and drive – This one should go without saying, and yet, every year, there are road deaths related to alcohol consumption. Have a designated driver or avoid alcohol when you know you will be driving home.
2. Don’t speed – Speeding is responsible for more deaths than any other bad behavior behind the wheel. When there is a fatal accident, someone was almost always driving too fast. Remember that when road conditions are dangerous, even the speed limit may not be safe.
3. Don’t drive distracted – Having your family in the car can be distracting enough. You don’t have to add bad habits like smoking, putting on makeup, or checking your phone while driving into the mix. Plus, you want to set a good example for your kids who will be drivers themselves someday.

Of course, you may experience an accident if someone else on the road falls into one of these dangerous driving activities. What can you do if you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident?

Finding the Right Personal Injury Attorney in Southern California

Petrov Law Firm in San Diego is here to help when you need us. To speak with a personal injury attorney so you can start your claim, call 619.344.0360 today.

Why Are People Still Driving While on the Phone?

In one recent year, 391,000 motor vehicle accidents occurred due to distracted driving. This resulted in a tremendous number of injuries, and 3,450 individuals wrongfully lost their lives. So why do people keep using their phones while driving? Consider the following stats from the same year that reveal just how serious the problem is:

• The results showed that people were more likely to use a phone while driving in rural areas. Perhaps the perception is that fewer cars on the road make it safer to drive while distracted. This is particularly concerning right now. People may be tempted to use their phone more since road traffic is down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• According to the study, more than 2% of drivers have been caught breaking rules that restrict the use of smartphones while driving to handsfree methods. If 2% are caught, how many more are getting away with it?
• The research also showed that younger drivers are more likely to break the rules, especially those between the ages of 18 and 24.
• The safest group of drivers are parents who have children under the age of nine. Unfortunately, those kids are only as safe as the other drivers on the road allow them to be.

Distracted Driving and Fault in California

California is a fault state as far as damages from a car accident is concerned. If you have been injured in an accident with a distracted driver, you deserve compensation from the other driver’s insurance. Contact Petrov Law Firm today at 619.344.0360 to get started on your settlement right away.

Don’t Drive Distracted, Even During the Shutdown

Vehicles on the road are down 60% according to one recent survey regarding the coronavirus shutdown in California. However, that doesn’t mean you can ignore laws regarding the use of your smartphone. Driving distracted can still result in a serious accident, especially if your guard is down due to the reduced traffic.

Here are a couple of important reminders about smartphone use while driving in California.

• If you are 18 or older – Mobile phone use must be kept hands-free while driving. Never text and drive. If your phone connects to your car via Bluetooth, you can use it to play music, get directions, or even to make phone calls. Some phones may even allow you to dictate messages to reply to texts. Just keep in mind that if your phone misunderstands what you say, the message will go out like that. You shouldn’t be looking at your phone to check the message before sending it.
• If you are under 18 – It is better just to turn your phone off while in the car. There is no situation in which it is okay to be on the phone while driving if you are under 18 in California. Even hands-free use is not allowed for minors.

Car Accident Lawyers in Southern California

If you have been injured in a car accident, especially one involving a distracted driver, give Petrov Law Firm a call at 619.344.0360. Our experienced personal injury attorneys can help you to maximize the settlement that you receive from the insurance company.

Tips for Drivers to Avoid Smartphone Distractions 

California drivers need to watch out for distractions. Not only can they lead to dangerous accidents, but even if you manage to avoid an accident while driving distracted, you could still get a ticket if you are breaking the law. For example, California has a number of regulations regarding smartphone use while driving. Here are some tips to help you avoid smartphone distractions while you are behind the wheel.

• Turn it off/silence your phone – If you don’t know messages or calls are coming in, you won’t be tempted to look at your phone until you reach your destination.
• Have your passenger navigate – If you need to use GPS, make sure you have the volume up so you don’t have to look at the phone. If you have a passenger, let them be the navigator.
• Use hands-free or Bluetooth – If you are 18 and over, you can still make calls in a hands-free manner. If your car has Bluetooth, this feature can allow you to reduce distraction and obey the law. If you are under 18, you can’t use a smartphone for any reason while driving, even hands-free, so don’t even bother connecting your phone to the car’s Bluetooth. Refer to the first suggestion on our list.

Car Accident Attorneys in San Diego

If you have been in an automobile accident, especially if the other driver was distracted, you may be able to receive compensation for your medical bills and other losses. Contact Petrov Law Firm at 619.344.0360 to get in touch with an experienced personal injury attorney today.

Wrongful Death Suits in Southern California

One of the worst tragedies a family can face is when a loved one’s life is suddenly ended in an avoidable accident. If your family is experiencing such an injustice, we want to express our sympathies. Please, know that you are not alone and that your family may be able to receive compensation for your loss. Just a few of the ways that wrongful deaths occur include:

• Medical malpractice – Doctors and medical facilities must meet a minimum standard of care for patients.
• Defective products – Products must include instructions for safe use and must be recalled if the manufacturer learns of a danger to consumers.
• Workplace accidents – Workplace deaths can be avoided by proper training and safety equipment. However, not all employers provide these necessary things.
• Motor vehicle accident – Lives are ended every day by drivers who are involved in unsafe practices such as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol or by driving while distracted due to mobile devices and other factors.

While money cannot heal the wounds your family is dealing with, proper compensation can help you to cope with the financial loss. Gaining justice can also begin the healing of emotional wounds, knowing that the court system recognizes that your family was wronged by what happed.

Compassionate Wrongful Death Suit Assistance in San Diego

Don’t allow grief to result in your family being cheated by a low settlement. Before you sign anything, call Petrov Law Firm at 619.344.0360 to speak with a compassionate and experienced attorney to help you maximize any compensation that your family may be due.

Safety Tips for Pedestrians in Southern California

The weather in southern California is great for pedestrians just about any time of year. Unfortunately, drivers can make going for a walk an extremely dangerous activity. As a pedestrian, you need to be your own advocate and keep yourself safe. Here are a few tips:

• Always look both ways when crossing – You learned this in school. You heard it from your parents. It is still the number one safety tip for walking. Don’t assume drivers are looking for you. You have to look for them.
• Use a crosswalk when available – Sometimes, in rural areas, you may not have his option, but in a city, you always have to use the crosswalk. Drivers are more likely to be looking out for pedestrians when they cross at designated areas. Plus, it will help your case if you are injured in an accident.
• Avoid distractions while walking – Just like drivers get into trouble when they are looking at a phone while in motion, pedestrians can have the same problem. There are no laws about texting and walking, but you better believe an insurance company is going to bring it up if you try and sue their client for hitting you.

Personal Injury Attorneys in Southern California

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident as a pedestrian, then you need the help of qualified personal injury attorneys to get what you deserve from the insurance company. Call 619.344.0360 and speak with an experienced lawyer from Petrov Law Firm today.