Personal Injury

Bicycle Safety Tips for California Riders

In southern California, it is almost always the perfect weather for riding a bike. It is a great way to commute to work and beat the traffic. Cycling is also a healthy way to get some exercise. We want to provide some tips to help you ride safely, whether you live in a city or a suburb.

• Keep to the right – The only times a cyclist should move out toward the left part of the lane are when passing a fellow cyclist or when making a left-hand turn. Be sure to use proper hand signals to let drivers know you are turning.
• Use a bike lane if one is present – These are provided to protect you from drivers.
• Always wear proper protective gear – Even if you are over 18 and it is not a matter of the law, you still want to wear a helmet. In case of an accident, a helmet could save your life.
• Watch out for pedestrians – Cyclists have to follow the same laws as drivers. You should always yield the right of way to pedestrians, especially if there is a crosswalk.
• Have all the legal lighting and reflectors – Besides what is required by law, you may want to add even more lighting and reflective surfaces to increase your visibility.

If You Have Been Injured in a Cycling Accident

Petrov Law Firm can help cyclists who have been injured in southern California. Contact us today at 619.344.0360 to learn how we can help you to maximize the settlement you receive from the insurance company.

Losses You Can Recover in a Wrongful Death Case

We know that there is no truly sufficient number that can make up for the loss of a loved one. That is why the compassionate attorneys at Petrov Law Firm want to help you maximize your settlement in the aftermath of a traumatic loss. The money can help you to recover from the financial losses that frequently accompany the sudden death of a loved one. Here are some things you should be compensated for:

• Directly-related expenses – The cost of the funeral, burial, and any medical bills connected to your loss should all be included in the settlement.
• Loss of financial support – This is especially necessary if the family member you have lost was the primary breadwinner. You need to receive compensation for all future earnings that are now lost.
• Compensation for loss of emotional support – You can’t put a price tag on everything your family has lost, but you should still be compensated. This is especially true if any family members suffered the trauma of being an eyewitness to the tragic death.
• Punitive damages – While these damages are paid to you, they are designed to keep anyone else from having to suffer the same loss. Punitive damages punish the offending individual or company, so they are motivated to change their practices that led to the wrongful death.

And there may be additional damages for intangible losses or property damage associated with your case.

The Compassionate Attorneys to Help Your Family in San Diego

Petrov Law Firm wants to help your family during this difficult time. Call 619.344.0360 to speak with an experienced and compassionate attorney who can get your case started in California.

5 Motorcycle Riding Tips That Can Save a Life

Riding a motorcycle is a great way to get around Californian cities, especially when there is a lot of traffic. Here are a few tips to help you get where you are going as safely as possible.

• Beware of drivers – Many drivers are not good at sharing the road with motorcycles. There are also a lot of distracted drivers. It’s not fair for the burden to be on you, but the fact is that when a car and a motorcycle get into an accident, it doesn’t matter who is right or wrong. The consequences will be far worse for the cyclist.
• Wear the proper protective equipment – In a minor accident, the right helmet and clothing can protect you from serious harm or even save your life.
• Be modest – If you are a new rider, don’t go beyond your limitations. Always follow traffic laws and don’t try to do anything you are not 100% sure you are able to handle.
• Stay visible – Whether it is keeping the lights on your vehicle in good order or wearing something reflective on your clothes/helmet, anything you can do to increase your visibility could be lifesaving.
• Never ride if you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs (including prescription medications that could affect your ability to ride safely).

Getting Help After a Motorcycle Accident in California

Petrov Law Firm in San Diego can help you to get what you deserve from the insurance company. Give us a call today at 619.344.0360 to learn what we can do for you.

Three Myths About Car Accidents Settlements

Car accidents are one of the most common reasons to begin a personal injury case. After all, injuries can lead to medical debt, missed work, or even long-term health issues. Here are a few myths you should know are untrue so that the settlement you receive adequately compensates you for your losses.

• Myth 1: You only can receive compensation for medical bills – Compensatory damages should include any tangible and intangible losses. For example, you may have had to use some sick days or vacation days while recovering from the accident, or you may have had to change your job due to the extent of the injuries. Lost benefits and future wages also count.
• Myth 2: The insurance company will make sure I am fairly compensated – The insurance company’s business is based on paying out as little as possible. If you just wait for a settlement and take what they give you, there is no way you received what you truly deserve.
• Myth 3: It is too expensive to hire a lawyer – Actually, the reverse is true. Without a lawyer, the insurance company may take advantage of you. The fee for an attorney is nothing compared to getting the settlement you actually deserve.

Personal Injury Attorneys in Southern California

Petrov Law Firm has experienced personal injury attorneys to help maximize your settlement. Don’t let the insurance company decide what you deserve for your injuries. Let our team of experts help you get what you truly deserve. Call 619.344.0360 to get started.

A Few Crucial Considerations for Drivers

Before anyone gets behind the wheel of a car, there are certain things they need to know. However, when someone has been driving for a long time, they may become overconfident and forget just how quickly things can become dangerous. For example, a man may be overconfident behind the wheel because of the myth that men are safer drivers. But simple logic refutes that claim. Why would insurance premiums be cheaper for women if men were safer drivers?

Here are a couple of other things you need to know:

• Driving under the influence includes driving under the influence of anything – Most people equate this with drinking alcohol. However, you can also receive a DUI for driving under the influence of marijuana (even if it is legal in your state) and certain prescription medications. So always be careful with anything that impacts your reaction time and could lead to an accident or a traffic violation.
• If you are under 18 and driving in California, don’t use your phone – Drivers in California who are 18 and over can use their phone in a hands-free manner. However, if you are under 18, you can’t use your phone at all. This is essential because using your phones hands-free still adds an element of distraction, and a new driver really doesn’t need that.

Car Accident Injuries in The San Diego Area

Contact Petrov Law Firm today if you have been injured in a car accident in southern California. We’re here to help you get the settlement you deserve from the insurance company, so call 619.344.0360 to learn what we can do for you.

What Your Slip and Fall Injury Settlement Is Based On

When someone is injured by a slip and fall, the owner of the property may be responsible for any damages that occur. Sometimes the damages can be extensive, leading to medical bills, missed workdays, or even long-term disability. Here are some of the factors that the final settlement should be based upon.

• The extent of the injuries – The more serious you are hurt in the fall, the greater the final settlement will be. If you don’t experience any loss, there is no case. Sometimes, people just fall and nothing is hurt but their pride. Lawsuits are for injuries.
• The total amount of the medical bills – The at-fault party should cover all of the medical expenses for your injury. This includes any expenses that are incurred because you had to go to an out-of-network physician.
• Any lost wages – Wages can be lost in two ways due to an injury. If you miss workdays, that’s a loss. This is true even if they were paid sick days because you had to use those days, which have value. Additionally, you may have lost future wages if you are unable to return to work or have to change your type of work due to the injuries.
• Personal impact – The settlement should include compensation for intangible losses such as ongoing pain or disability.

The Help You Need After an Injury in Southern California

Petrov Law Firm has the experienced personal injury lawyers who can help you to deal with the insurance company after an injury. Call 619.344.0360 today and let us help you maximize your settlement.

Tips for Dealing with an Insurance Company in a Personal Injury Case

Insurance companies are notoriously difficult to deal with, even when a person has a legitimate case. If you receive a settlement at all, it is likely to be way less than what you deserve. Here are three tips for dealing with the insurance company to help you get the best settlement possible.

• Don’t wait – Insurance companies like to use delaying tactics to stop you from starting a suit. They may promise a settlement but drag their feet providing it. Part of the goal is to make you accept immediately when the settlement finally comes. Part of the idea is to get you to wait until the statute of limitations is up before seeing legal action.
• Don’t give up – The insurance company may ask you to perform some ridiculous and tedious requests in order to provide you with an “accurate” settlement. Often, they are asking you to do things that are their job just to make you think the process is too difficult. They want you to give up, so they don’t have to pay anything.
• Don’t do it alone – Insurance companies want you to believe you can work it out with them and “save money” by not hiring a lawyer. In reality, they don’t want you going to a lawyer because they know you will get a much larger settlement if you have legal assistance.

Hire the Right Personal Injury Attorney in Southern California

Petrov Law Firm in San Diego has experienced attorneys who can help you to get what you deserve from the insurance company after an accident or injury. Call 619.344.0360 to get your case started today and let us help you to maximize your settlement.

How Do Pedestrian Accidents Happen?

Knowing what causes the most pedestrian accidents can help you to stay safer while walking. While not all of these factors are preventable on your part, some provide insights into precautions pedestrians should take.

• Low visibility conditions – Most pedestrian accidents happen at night, when the weather is bad, or during times of the day when visibility is reduced (dawn and dusk). Use extra caution when crossing roads in these conditions, even if you are using the crosswalk. Hi-vis or reflective clothing can also help drivers to see you.
• Poor city infrastructure – If there are few crosswalks and no pedestrian lights in the area, this makes crossing the roadway even more dangerous. This can happen both on the street and in parking lots that don’t have proper crossing locations.
• Electric and hybrid cars – Many vehicles are quieter than they used to be. You can’t walk out into the street while looking down at your phone and trust your ears to tell you a vehicle is coming. Some electric and hybrid vehicles produce little more than a whirring sound while coasting.

Regardless of the cause of the accident, the driver’s insurance should be helping with medical bills and other losses incurred.

Help for Injured Pedestrians in Southern California

Petrov Law Firm has the experienced personal injury attorneys that you want in your corner when dealing with an insurance company to get a settlement. Contact us today at 619.344.0360 to get the help you need to recoup your medical bills and other losses.

The Three Requirements for Owner Liability for Dog Bites in CA

When a dog bites someone in the state of California, it is almost always the owner whose liability insurance is going to cover the damages. Here are the three requirements for owner liability for dog bites in California that cover nearly every case.

• The dog bite has caused damages – This is almost always the case with dog bites. If the bite breaks the skin and you can’t get proof of vaccination for rabies, you have to seek emergency medical treatment. Even if the dog is vaccinated, many bites require stitches or other treatment.
• The dog bite has occurred in a public place – When an owner takes a dog off their own private property, they are responsible for everything that happens after that.
• The dog bite has occurred on private property, but you were there legally – The only time an owner is not responsible for a dog bite is if it happens on private property and you are trespassing. If the owner invites you onto the property, they are responsible for keeping you safe, and that includes from their pets.

Fortunately, most homeowners or renters insurance policies include general liability, which will cover medical expenses and other losses. Of course, that means you will have to fight with an insurance company to get a fair settlement.

Getting the Assistance You Need After a Dog Bite in California

Petrov Law Firm is experienced in dealing with insurance companies in the wake of a dog attack. Contact our San Diego office today at 619.344.0360 to get your case started,

Changing Teen Driving Culture to Save Lives

About 4,000 teenagers are killed on US roadways every year due to distracted driving. This makes the number one cause of death for teens completely preventable. It’s not enough to create more laws about distracted driving. There are laws in place nationwide, and it keeps happening. This is about changing the culture of teenage drivers in the United States.

California realizes this and has signaled out young teenage drivers with heavier laws and penalties for phone use. However, it is not enough of a deterrent just to pass laws against distracted driving. Teen passengers need to advocate for themselves.

• Tell the driver if you believe they are taking risks while driving
• Don’t get in the car with a driver who uses their phone or allows other distractions

This is essential because half of the deaths due to distracted adolescent drivers are their passengers. Don’t become the next victim!

Injuries Are Also Common Among Distracted Teen Drivers

There are about 400,000 injuries caused each year by distract adolescent drivers. If you or a loved one has experienced such an injury, you need the help of a personal injury attorney. California is a tort state. The at-fault driver’s insurance should cover all of your medical expenses and other damages. You need an experienced California attorney to help maximize your settlement.

Petrov Law Firm in San Diego can provide you with the assistance you need at this difficult time. Call 619.344.0360 today and get what you really deserve from the insurance company.