Auto Injury

These Statistics Are the Reason California Is Still Telling Us to Put Down Our Phones

California has had hands-free laws in place for several years now. The restrictions are even more stringent for those under the age of 18. So why are there continued campaigns to try and get people to put their phones down while they drive? Here are some telling stats.

• In just one year, about 2.2% of drivers were busted breaking hands-free laws.
• The younger a driver is, the more likely they are to violate hands-free legislation. The same study showed that 4.9% of drivers between the ages of 18 and 24 were guilty.
• In rural areas, people are far more likely to try and get away with using a phone while driving. While there may be fewer cars, there is also often less visibility on old country roads, thereby increasing the danger.
• At least parents are driving safe. The category of drivers that had the fewest infractions in the study were those who had a passenger age 8 or younger.

During the same year that these statistics were taken, 391,000 accidents occurred as a result of distracted driving. These accidents caused numerous injuries and ended 3,450 lives. Distracted driving is a serious matter, and no one should think they are immune to having an accident, regardless of their age or where they live.

If You Have Been Hurt by a Distracted Driver

In Southern California, the personal injury attorneys at Petrov Law Firm are here to help if a distracted driver causes you harm. Give us a call today at 619.344.0360 to get your case started.

California Urges You to Put Your Phone Down and Drive

Due to the terrible effects of distracted driving, the state of California has had some public service campaigns to encourage less phone use while operating a vehicle. The current campaign is called “Put Your Phone Down. Just Drive.” and you have probably heard that mantra repeated in ads.

What are the current laws in California regarding smartphone use in a car?

• It is never permitted for someone under the age of 18 to use a smartphone while driving. Don’t spend your money on hands-free devices like a Bluetooth headset until your turn 18 because you can’t use it in the car anyway.
• If you are 18 or older, don’t pick up your phone while driving. If you are going to use your phone, it should be in a hands-free manner only. Of course, this also means no reading and responding to texts while driving. If your phone is connected to your vehicle via Bluetooth, you may be able to have the car read a text to you, and you may even be able to respond verbally. But don’t be tempted to pick up the device to make sure your dictated text was correctly formatted.

San Diego Attorneys for Car Accident Injuries

Petrov Law Firm is here to help if you have been injured by a distracted driver in a car accident. Contact us today to learn how we can help you to maximize the settlement you receive from the insurance company. Call 619.344.0360 to get your case started now.

Watching for Symptoms in the Wake of a Car Accident

The accident wasn’t that bad, so you declined a trip to the ER in an ambulance. After all, your car was still drivable, and you had to get to work for that important meeting. Sure, your neck was a little sore the next day or two, but that always happens with a fender bender. There’s no real cause for concern, right?

Actually, symptoms of an injury from this type of accident can take weeks or even months to arise. Head to the doctor right away if you experience any of these symptoms:

• Migraines or other headaches – This is the number one symptom of post-concussion syndrome. You may not have hit your head, but you still may have been shaken around enough for a concussion to occur.
• Vertigo – If the room seems to spin, twist, or sway on occasion, this can be another sign of the aftermath of a head or neck injury. Be careful not to fall and sustain further damage.
• Cognitive symptoms – If you have memory problems, difficulty focusing, or become easily confused in the months after your accident, these may be the symptoms of brain fog.
• Mood swings – From becoming more easily irritable to experiencing anxiety or depression, these are also symptoms that may relate to your accident.
• Insomnia – This is another common symptom of a concussion or neck injury.

Car Accident Injuries in Southern California

If you have had to seek medical attention in the wake of a car accident, the bills can pile up fast. Contact Petrov Law Firm today to get help filing for a settlement from the insurance company of the guilty driver. Call 619.344.0360 to get started.

What Does It Mean that California Is a Fault State for Car Insurance?

In a no-fault state (there are currently 12 in the US), every driver is required to carry insurance that covers his or her own expenses should an accident occur. California is a fault state. What does this mean?

In a fault state, the insurance of the driver who is responsible for the accident pays the expenses. Therefore, if you admit that you ran a red light and hit another car, your insurance will be paying for the other driver’s damages including medical bills, car repair, and even pain and suffering caused by the experience.

When Accident Blame Is Shared in a Fault State

In a fault state, since accidents are paid for by the offending party, what happens if both sides share some blame? The powers that be may decide either on an even split or on another percentage. For example, if the other driver ran a stop sign, but you panicked when you should have been able to get out of the way, they may assign a 70-30 or 80-20 split. In this case, you would recover most of your losses from the other person’s insurance, but your insurance would have to cover the rest.

Why You Need a Car Accident Attorney

In a fault state, proving blame can make a huge difference in the settlement amount with an insurance company. Having a personal injury attorney on your side can help you to maximize your settlement. In southern California, drivers can trust Petrov Law Firm to put our experience to work for you. Call us today at 619.344.0360 to get your case started.

The Most Important Bicycle Safety Feature

When you are riding your bicycle around San Diego, safety must be of paramount importance. Cyclists rarely fare well when involved in an accident with a moving vehicle. That makes visibility critical for your well-being. What will make you the most visible to drivers?

Lights: The Most Important Safety Feature on Your Bicycle

The state of California actually has a few laws regarding lighting on your bike to make it more visible. Therefore, your bicycle should already have the following:

• A headlight for use when riding after dark
• A red rear reflector

However, you can increase your visibility and make riding even safer by adding additional lighting features beyond those required by law. For example:

• Use your headlight day and night to increase visibility during the day
• Get taillights instead of just a reflector to increase the likelihood of a driver seeing you from behind
• Acquire signal lights for drivers who don’t pay attention to hand signals or who have forgotten what they mean since taking their driving test

Bicycle Accident Attorneys in San Diego

If you have been injured in an accident while biking in southern California, the experienced personal injury attorneys at Petrov Law Firm can help. Since California is a fault state, the driver’s insurance company may try to place some of the blame on you to reduce the settlement. Before you sign any sort of agreement, be sure to call 619.344.0360, so you can get an experienced lawyer on your side.

Sharing the Road with Drivers: 4 Tips to Keep Runners Safe

Any time you go for a run, you have to consider how to remain safe when there are so many drivers on the road who are not paying as much attention as they should be. Here are four tips to help you optimize your safety.

1. Look at drivers – Making eye contact is the best way to ensure that a driver sees you. In most cases, a driver will gesture to let you know he or she intends to wait for you to cross. Jog in place at the corner until you are sure it is safe.
2. Run on safe roads – A back road with no sidewalks is going to be a dangerous place to run, especially if the weather conditions are not good for visibility.
3. Pay attention to road conditions – Bad weather and darkness can affect a driver’s ability to see you or to stop in time if they don’t notice you until the last minute. Use extra caution and wear appropriate clothing that makes you more visible.
4. Stay alert – As a runner, you need always to be thinking about your own safety. An accident may be a driver’s fault, but that won’t help you survive a crash. So make sure you are not the one who becomes distracted, perhaps by a mobile device.

San Diego’s Personal Injury Attorneys

The personal injury attorneys at Petrov Law Firm are here to help if you are ever hurt in an accident. We hope you are able to enjoy your routine of running, but if an injury does occur due to a driver, call 619.344.0360 to get the help you need.

Misconceptions About Smartphone Driving Laws in California

If you live and drive in California, you need to know the smartphone driving laws so that you remain safe and don’t end up with a fine. However, many people misunderstand the rules. Here are a few common misconceptions.

• All drivers can make hands-free calls in California – For most drivers, this is the case. However, if you are under 18, you can’t use your phone at all. The best idea is to keep it turned off or in “do not disturb” mode while you drive, so you are not tempted to break the law.
• You can pick up your phone at a red light – Maybe you got this idea because you see people do it all the time, but it is definitely illegal. You can’t pick up your phone for any reason while driving, and that includes while idling at a red light. Also, breaking this rule is particularly annoying since it causes people to miss the light change and affects traffic (besides being a safety issue).
• You can’t touch your phone at all while driving – Actually, this one is not true as well. If the action you wish to take requires one tap or swipe, you can do it. Just don’t pick the phone up or let it distract you so much that you get into an accident.

San Diego Car Accident Lawyers

If you have been injured in an accident, especially if the driver was distracted, the San Diego car accident lawyers at Petrov Law Firm can help. Call today at 619-344-0360 to get your case started.

3 Reasons Driving Tired Is Dangerous

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated that in 2013 and there were 800 deaths, 44,000 injuries, and 72,000 accidents that resulted from driving while drowsy. However, the CDC believes that this is a gross underestimate, citing fatal accidents at 6,000 per year. If that’s true, there may be hundreds of thousands of accidents and injuries each year, all of which are easily avoidable by getting some rest before getting on the road or pulling over if you get tired.

Here are three factors that make driving tired so dangerous.

1. Slower reaction times – Drivers need quick reactions to avoid dangers both in the road and from other drivers. A drowsy driver is less likely to have the ability to avoid an accident due to slowed reflexes.
2. Inhibited thought processes – Driving involves tons of split-second decisions. Should you pull out in front of that car? Do you need to start breaking? Is it safe to change lanes? A tired driver is more likely to make the wrong choice.
3. Limited attention span – A large percentage of accidents are due to distracted driving. A tired driver is less likely to be able to ignore a distraction and stay focused on the road.

Car Accident Injury Lawyers in San Diego

Sadly, drowsy driving still happens. This and other driving mistakes lead to many accidents and injuries. If you have been injured by a drowsy or distracted driver, Petrov Law Firm can help you get the settlement that you deserve. Call us today at 619-344-0360 to get your case started.

How to Avoid Bicycle Accidents When Riding Around San Diego

Injuries caused by bicycle accidents result in over $200 million in medical bills and lost work across the country. Whether you are riding your bike around San Diego for pleasure or as your primary means of transportation, here are a few tips to help you avoid the dangers of sharing the road with drivers.

• Wear reflective clothing – While this is crucial during night riding, you can benefit from the extra visibility even during the daytime. Helping drivers see you will minimize the risks.
• Use signals when turning – Hand signals are a must for cyclists. However, if you can get signal lights for your bike, this will improve your visibility even more and be good for drivers who never learned what the hand signals mean.
• Don’t assume drivers see you – Even if you’ve made eye contact with a driver, it is still a good idea to yield the right of way to someone in a car. The best way to avoid injury is to ride defensively rather than aggressively.

Cyclist Accident Injury Lawyers in Southern California

If you have been injured in a bike accident, the personal injury attorneys at Petrov Law Firm can help. Insurance companies often look for any excuse to avoid or minimize a payout. We can help you to get the settlement you deserve so that your medical bills and lost wages are covered. Give us a call today at 619-344-0360 to get your case started and receive the full compensation you are due.

How to Reduce Car Accident Injuries

Sadly, the majority of car accidents are due to driver error rather than actually just being accidents. How can you avoid making some of the most common mistakes that lead to crashes? Here are three things to watch out for.

• Speeding – Speeding is at the root of the highest number of car accidents, especially those that result in deaths. Speed limits are posted for a reason, and there’s nothing wrong with driving even slower if the weather is bad.
• Distracted drivers – From texting to eating and applying makeup to lighting up a cigarette, there are tons of things that can distract a driver. While all distractions may not be illegal, you should still avoid being distracted when behind the wheel.
• DUI – Don’t drink and drive. Also, remember that marijuana use may be legal in California, but you still can’t drive high. Even some prescription medications require caution when it comes to operating a motor vehicle. If you’re not sober, you’re not up to driving.

San Diego’s Car Accident Injury Attorneys

When a car accident occurs, California law requires that fault be determined. The more you can prove it was the other driver who was at fault, the larger the settlement from the insurance company can be. Not only can you receive compensation for medical expenses, but you may also be able to collect damages for lost wages and any emotional pain and suffering that the experience caused for you. Call 619.344.0360 today and let the experienced personal injury attorneys at Petrov Law Firm help.