Car Accidents

Compensation Available After a Personal Injury

From car accidents to dog bites and slip and fall accidents to medical malpractice, there are many ways in which a person can be injured due to someone else’s fault or negligence. When this happens, you may experience financial and other forms of loss. How does a personal injury suit seek to provide compensation? Here are several ways:

• Medical expenses – The responsible party should have to cover all of the medical bills that result from the injury.
• Damage to property – If the injury also causes damage to your property (a car, motorcycle, bicycle, etc.), the repair or replacement costs should be included in the settlement.
• Lost work – If you miss work due to the injury, you should receive compensation for the days of work that you missed. If you are no longer able to work, the compensation should include the money you would have made during the rest of your career.
• Pain and suffering – This may include emotional damages that come from the injury. Pain and suffering settlements can often be larger than other more tangible expenses because it is difficult to put a price tag on these types of damages.

Personal Injury Attorneys in San Diego

At Petrov Law Firm, we have the experienced attorneys you want in your corner when seeking a personal injury settlement. To get your case started, give us a call at 619.344.0360. Whether you live in San Diego, North County, or Chula Vista, we have local attorneys to provide the assistance you need.

Don’t Get Distracted While Driving: Three Tips to Help

California drivers could get a ticket if they fall prey to certain driving distractions, like checking and replying to a text message. Other distractions may not necessarily be a violation but could certainly result in an accident. Here are a few tips to help you avoid distractions while behind the wheel.

• Put your phone on Do Not Disturb mode – Most phones or operating systems have a Do Not Disturb mode that you can easily set when you get in the car and turn off when you arrive at your destination. Some devices can even send an automated message to people who call or text while you are behind the wheel. Just remember that your phone can’t tell the difference between you being a driver or passenger.
• Let your passenger have control – If someone else is in the car with you, let them navigate and DJ for your trip. This will keep you from being distracted by the GPS or the radio.
• When you drive, just drive – From eating to applying makeup, there are so many things that people do behind the wheel that take away attention from the road. No matter how many times you may have done it in the past, don’t let this be the time it results in an accident.

San Diego Personal Injury Attorneys

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident by a distracted driver, you deserve compensation for medical bills, lost work, and more. Let the personal injury attorneys at Petrov Law Firm help you to maximize your settlement. Just call 619.344.0360 today to get started.

Tractor-Trailer Accidents Can Lead to Serious Injury or Death

When a massive 18-wheeler gets into an accident with a much smaller motor vehicle, it never goes well for the other driver. Fortunately, there are governing organizations such as FMCSA that produce guidelines to help tractor-trailer drivers perform their duties as safely as possible. On the other hand, COVID-19 has placed a strain on the transport industry, with many deliveries falling behind schedule and many products being in short supply.

Therefore, the FMCSA has produced a waiver in response to the national health emergency. This allows drivers to take some liberties with the rules if they are transporting essential supplies. Unfortunately, that could lead to some potential dangers. The pros and cons of such an action have been weighed, and it was deemed necessary to make these temporary adjustments (which currently expire on September 30, 2020).

It is impossible to stop all truck accidents, no matter what rules are in place or how they are enforced. Thus, some drivers will need to take advantage of the compensation provided through insurance companies when accidents lead to injuries and other forms of loss. That is when you need the help of an experienced personal injury attorney from your state.

Personal Injury Attorneys in Southern California

The personal injury lawyers at Petrov Law Firm in San Diego are here to help if you have experienced an accident with a truck driver. Call 619.344.0360 today to get your case started, and let us help you to maximize your settlement.

Take Precautions to Avoid the Dangers of Driving While Sleepy

Over the past seven years, the number of drivers who are killed by drowsy driving has increased nearly ten times, according to the CDC. As much as 3% of all accidents may be related to a sleepy driver. It equates to tens of thousands of injuries on an annual basis. Why is it so dangerous to get or stay behind the wheel when your body needs sleep? Here are three reasons:

• Reaction Time – Being tired reduces how fast you can react to sudden changes in circumstances, a need that often arises when driving. In fact, being drowsey affects reaction time in a similar way to being under the influence of alcohol.
• Attention Span – Sleepiness affects attention span, and that is something that enough of us already have trouble with while driving. From talking with passengers to eating to smoking to checking a smartphone to putting on makeup, there are so many things that could potentially distract someone while driving a car (some less legal than others). You don’t need to shorten your attention span further by also being tired.
• Decision Making Ability – You can’t make good decisions when your body needs sleep. Sleeping is how the brain recovers. Since driving requires good decision making, being tired behind the wheel is extremely dangerous.

Motor Vehicle Accident Attorneys in San Diego

If you have been injured by a drowsy driver or anyone else who is at fault, then you need to get the right help so that you can receive compensation from the person’s insurance company. Before you sign anything, call the professionals at Petrov Law Firm. We can help you get what you really deserve from an insurance settlement. Dial 619.344.0360 to get started today.

Don’t Go Into a Personal Injury Case Without the Proper Preparation

The overwhelming majority of personal injury cases are settled out of court. This is because the insurance company realizes that money is owed. It is just a matter of agreeing on how much. If the insurance company can keep this number as low as possible, they are happy to settle. However, you have to prepare properly if you are going to maximize your settlement.

• Gather evidence of negligence – If you want to receive a settlement, you have to have some evidence that the insurance company’s client is in the wrong. This could take the form of a police report from the scene of a car accident or an accident report filled out at the scene of a slip and fall injury.
• Gather evidence of loss – Keep track of your medical expenses, missed work, and other losses that you experience as a direct or indirect result of the injury.
• Find a personal injury attorney – A personal injury attorney can help you to maximize your settlement by letting you know what types of losses should be included. Also, the insurance company will know that you are not willing to take the bare minimum settlement to walk away, but that you are seeking help to get what you really deserve.

San Diego’s Trusted Personal Injury Lawyers

If you have experienced a personal injury in the San Diego area, contact the attorneys at Petrov Law Firm by calling 619.344.0360. We can help to ensure that you receive the compensation that you are owed for your losses.

Turn a Preexisting Condition into a Positive for Your Personal Injury Case

You may think of a preexisting condition as something that would hurt your personal injury case. For example, if you get whiplash in a car accident but already have a history of neck problems, won’t that affect your ability to get a settlement? Not if you handle it the right way. Here are a few important tips:

• Don’t keep it a secret – If it looks like you have something to hide, then you turn your asset into a liability. If you have a preexisting condition, make it known, but use the info in the right way.
• Have your doctor compare your records – A preexisting condition means test results, x-rays, and the like. Have your doctor compare the progress you were making with your condition to where you stand now following the injury. This can show that your new medical bills are resulting from the injury and not from the preexisting condition.
• Hire the right attorney – If your attorney is telling you to do something shady like hiding your condition, then you are with the wrong guy. Getting caught is a sure way to lose out on the settlement you deserve.

Trustworthy Personal Injury Attorneys in Southern California

The personal injury lawyers at Petrov Law Firm have the experience you want on your side when dealing with stingy insurance companies to get a personal injury settlement. Give us a call today at 619.344.0360 to schedule a consultation. We look forward to helping you receive the compensation that is owed.

3 Questions Your Lawyer Will Want Answers to for a Personal Injury Case

If you have been injured in a car accident, slip and fall, dog attack, or in any other way that involves the fault of someone else, you need the assistance of a personal injury attorney. Having a lawyer on your side can help you to maximize a settlement, especially when an insurance company is involved. However, your attorney is going to need to understand the case well to go to bat for you, so here are a few questions you can expect.

• How did the injury occur? – This is important because if the injury was due to your own fault or negligence, you might not be due any compensation. However, if the fault is with someone else, or even shared, you may be able to receive a settlement.
• Do you have any proof? – Evidence that the injury was the result of someone’s negligence will help ensure that the case settles faster and for a greater amount.
• What losses have you experienced as a result of the injury? – Losses are usually more than just medical bills. Did you experience material loss? Have you missed work or even lost your job? Will you now have a long-term disability? Was there emotional stress added to the physical pain or damage caused?

Personal Injury Attorneys in Southern California

Petrov Law Firm is here to help if you have experienced a personal injury in southern California. Call 619.344.0360 today to get started on your case so you can receive the compensation you deserve.

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.

Important Areas of Expertise for California Personal Injury Attorneys

When you experience an injury and it is someone else’s fault, you want help getting the compensation that you deserve. After all, compensation is usually going to come from an insurance company with an attorney whose one job is to make sure they pay out as little as possible. What are some of the more common personal injury cases in California, and why should you hire an experienced attorney?

• Slip and fall injuries – Getting your case going well before the statute of limitations is up is the first important step when it comes to a slip and fall accident. Now is the time to start gathering evidence so as to negotiate a settlement.
• Dog bites – Insurance companies payout money on a daily basis for dog bites that occur all across the country. If someone else’s dog has attacked you without provocation, you should at least receive compensation for any medical bills that you incur as a result of the attack.
• Car accidents – As more cars get back on the road, you can expect to see the number of accidents and injuries on the rise again. The COVID-19 pandemic didn’t stop people from driving recklessly, distracted, or just too fast. California is a fault state, so if it is the other driver’s fault, their insurance should be paying out.

Personal Injury Attorneys with Experience in San Diego

If you have sustained a personal injury in these or other ways, you need the help of experienced attorneys to maximize your settlement. Petrov Law Firm is here to help residents of San Diego, North County, and Chula Vista. Call 619.344.0360 to get started right away.

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.