Auto Injury

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.

Use Extra Caution to Avoid Injury When Driving Under These Conditions

Car accidents can be the cause of serious injuries and even death. That is why it is particularly important to drive safely when there are dangerous road conditions. Here are several situations that call for extra caution on the part of a conscientious driver.

• Bad weather – Rain, snow, or ice can make roads extremely dangerous. Be sure to leave extra room between you and the car in front of you in any of these hazardous conditions.
• Nighttime – Driving at night can be particularly dangerous. Be sure to switch to your low beams when there are cars coming in the other direction and watch out for cyclists and pedestrians who may have forgotten to wear something reflective.
• Road work – Be sure to obey the traffic signs in construction areas. They are for the safety of both drivers and workers. Road work particularly requires caution when it is being performed at night.
• Road hazards – From potholes to debris in the road, there are plenty of obstructions that can damage your car. If you can’t swerve, slow down as much as you can. For potholes, your tires will absorb the hit the best if you are going straight ahead. The side walls of your tires are not as sturdy.

Car Accident Injury Attorneys in San Diego

If you have been injured in a car accident in the San Diego Area, call the experienced personal injury attorneys at Petrov Law Firm. We can help you to receive the settlement you deserve, so call 619-344-0360 without delay.

Cyclist Safety Tips for San Diego Roads

Whether you ride your bicycle around San Diego or the surrounding neighborhoods, for work, exercise, or fun, you need to use proper caution. Car accidents involving cyclists often result in serious injury to the person riding the bike. Here are a few tips to help keep you safe.

• Always wear a helmet – A helmet can’t guarantee that you will survive an accident with a motor vehicle, but it certainly improves your chances.
• Watch out for cars turning right – This is what puts you at the greatest risk, especially if the driver doesn’t check the bike lane before turning. At stoplights, wait to make sure drivers are not turning rather than trying to get a jumpstart on the light. It is legal to exit the bike lane and move into traffic when approaching a place where a driver may make a righthand turn. This will make you more visible. Once you are through the intersection, return to the bike lane as soon as you safely can.
• Have something reflective on your person and your bike – This will help make you more visible, especially at night but also during the day. For even more visibility, invest in head and taillights for your bike.

Bicycle Accident Injury Attorneys in Southern California

The personal injury attorneys at Petrov Law Firm can help if you have been injured by a motor vehicle driver. A settlement can help you recover damages from medical bills, missed work, and additional pain and suffering caused by the accident. To learn more, call 619-344-0360 today.

Shocking Statistics Regarding Drivers and Hand-Held Mobile Devices

If your state isn’t hands-free yet, the laws are probably coming. Mobile device use while driving is resulting in many distracted driver accidents. In California, it is already illegal, and drivers under the age of 18 are not even allowed to use mobile phones in a hands-free manner. Here are some stats that show a shameless disregard for these laws.

• In 2015 approximately 2.2% of drivers were caught driving illegally using a handheld device.
• For the 18-24 age group, that figure is a shocking 4.9%, revealing that younger drivers seem more comfortable breaking this law to use a cell phone while driving.
• The biggest increase in handheld device usage occurred among drivers in rural areas.
• Drivers with children under the age of 8 were the least likely to break the law regarding hand-held devices.

The offenses ranged from making calls to reading and sending texts. In 2015, it was reported that 391,000 accidents occurred due to distraction and risky behaviors like those mentioned here. Distracted drivers were also to blame for 3,450 deaths during that calendar year.

Injuries Due to Distracted Drivers in California

California is a fault state, so the insurance of the distracted driver should be on the hook for medical bills, lost wages, and any pain and suffering that was caused, especially if the result was a wrongful death. The compassionate personal injury attorneys at Petrov Law Firm are in your corner to help you get what you deserve from the insurance company that will likely try to settle for as little as possible if you don’t have assistance. To get in touch about your case, please call us today at 619-344-0360 to schedule an appointment at any of our Southern California offices.