Car Accidents

How to Protect Your Family from Car Accident Injuries

You can’t account for what other people on the road are going to do, so the best way to protect your family is to avoid risky behaviors when driving. Here are three situations that cause most accidents on the road.

• Driving under the influence – Whether it is alcohol or a prescription medication, driving under the influence of any substance that can dull your senses is dangerous. Also, avoid driving while drowsy because this can have similarly dangerous effects.
• Distracted driving – California has laws regarding the use of handheld devices while driving for this very reason – it is dangerous. However, it can also be distracting to smoke, put on make-up, or eat while driving. Avoid anything that can take your eyes off the road or slow down your reaction time.
• Driving too fast – This is actually what is responsible for the highest percentage of car accidents that result in serious injuries or fatalities. Driving the speed limit (or even slower if circumstances dictate it) is the best way to keep your family safe on the road.

Car Accident Injury Attorneys in Southern California

If another driver has caused an accident that has resulted in injury for you or a family member, consult the personal injury attorneys at Petrov Law Firm in San Diego. We have the experience that you want in your corner when dealing with car insurance companies to try and maximize your settlement and get what you really deserve. Call 619.344.0360 to see if you are eligible for compensation.

Read This Before You Take Your Bicycle on the Streets of San Diego

Riding a bicycle can be a fun pastime or a great way to get to the office without sitting in traffic and wasting gas. However, you have to be safe when you take to the streets, especially if you don’t have a car surrounding you to protect you from others on the road. Here are a few of the most important tips to keep you safe while riding your bike around San Diego.

• Wear the proper protective gear – A helmet may not always be a fashion statement, but it gives you much better odds of surviving if you are in an accident while riding your bike. Wearing something reflective is also important, especially if you are riding at night.
• Have lights on your bike – While only certain lights are required by California law, the more visible you are to drivers, the safer you will be. Lights on the front and back of your bike during the daytime and at night will increase your visibility.
• Watch for right-hand turns – Cars turning right will have to cut through the bike lane. Always assume that the driver doesn’t see you, even if you are sitting next to him at a red light. If you both start going the second the light turns green, it is going to go much worse for you than the car.

Personal Injury Attorneys for Bicycle Accidents in San Diego

If you have been injured in a bicycle accident in southern California, call the attorneys at Petrov Law Firm to get the help you need seeking a settlement. Dial 619.344.0360 to schedule an appointment now.

Dangerous Road Conditions That Lead to Motor Vehicle Accidents

Driving a car always calls for exercising proper caution. However, there are some circumstances that make it even more important to protect yourself and your passengers, even if that means driving slower than the posted speed limit. Here are a few road conditions that cause problems for many drivers.

• Construction – Road work poses extra dangers both when it comes to road conditions as well as proximity to the workers. Be sure to follow the posted road signs, which should provide you with instructions for safe driving such as a lower speed limit or lane usage restrictions.
• Inclement weather – While California is known for beautiful weather, there are still rainstorms and other conditions that may make roadways slick. Remember that wet roads mean that you will need more time to stop, so leave extra room between you and the car in front of you.
• Driving at night – There are many hazards that are presented when driving after dark. Visibility is lower, you need to be sure to shut your high beams for oncoming traffic, and there is always that pedestrian crossing the street who isn’t wearing reflective clothing. Plus, road hazards, such as potholes, may not be visible until the last moment.

San Diego’s Trusted Personal Injury Attorneys

When a person is injured in a car accident, they need help from professionals who know what compensation is due. At Petrov Law Firm, you will meet trusted attorneys who are experienced with personal injury settlements. Contact us today at 619.344.0360 to get your case started.

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.

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 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.