accident attorney san diego Tag

Shocking Bicycle Injury and Fatality Statistics in California

In the United States, an average of more than 700 people die in bicycle accidents each year. California makes up a disproportionate amount of those fatalities, averaging 144 per year. Those numbers tell a shocking tale, and we’re going to add some more statistics that reveal a concern in the state for cyclists.

• Over 11,000 cyclists were injured in California in 2017.
• Los Angeles County is the deadliest for cyclists in California. San Diego County is third in the state.
• The same is true with non-fatal injuries, with Los Angeles County leading the way and San Diego third. Between the years of 2007 and 2013, more than 6,000 cyclists were injured in San Diego County alone.
• Statistics show that it becomes the most dangerous for cyclists after dark.
• Nationally, more cyclist fatalities occur in urban areas than rural areas. The largest amount of fatalities occur on major roads.
• Most fatalities occur in males over the age of 20. In fact, males 50 and over comprise the highest demographic for fatal cycling accidents in California.
• Many cyclist deaths involve alcohol. More fatalities involved cyclists under the influence than drivers under the influence.
• The largest percentage of cyclists who died in accidents were not wearing the proper protective equipment.

If You or a Loved One Has Been Injured in a Cycling Accident

Petrov Law Firm is here to help. Our experienced personal injury and wrongful death attorneys can help you to receive the compensation you are due if you have been injured or lost a loved one in a cycling accident in California. Call our San Diego office today at 619.344.0360 to get the assistance you require.

Staying Safe While Riding Your Bicycle During the Pandemic

San Diego is currently under stricter health orders due to the pandemic. What does this mean if you are a cyclist? First, here are a few of the regulations you should know:

• Stay home except for essential activities – Work (if your place of employment is still open) and exercise are valid reasons to leave the house. You can even ride your bike for essential errands like grocery shopping.
• Wear a face-covering – If you are going to get within 6 feet of anyone who doesn’t live in your house with you, a mask is required. Even if you are riding in a rural area outside the city, you need to have a mask with you in case you come across another person during your ride. When you leave your bike to go into a public building or store, the mask will be necessary.
• Practice social distancing – As mentioned, try to stay 6 feet away from anyone you don’t live with.

Besides these regulations, there are usual safety requirements and recommendations like wearing a helmet or other protective gear while riding your bike. Watch out for drivers who may not see you, especially if you are only using the minimally legal amount of lighting on your bike.

Bicycle Accident Injury Specialists in San Diego

At Petrov Law Firm, our personal injury attorneys specialize in a number of specific injury situations, including bicycle riding. If you have been in an accident and experienced an injury in the San Diego area, contact us today at 619.344.0360 to learn if you may be eligible for compensation.

Steps to Take in a Wrongful Death Suit

First of all, if you have found this article because you have tragically lost a loved one in death due to someone else’s negligence, you have our sincerest condolences. This is a terrible time for your family, and we want you to find the compassionate help that you need. With that in mind, we will keep this brief.

Here are the crucial steps in a wrongful death suit and how to get yours started.

• Identify the responsible party – Depending on how the death was caused, the responsible party could be a criminal, a driver, a manufacturing company, an employer, or even a medical professional.
• Determine if you can legally start a case – In California, to bring a wrongful death case, you must be either the spouse (including domestic partners) or child of the deceased. If no one matches that description, then another family member may be able to pursue legal action.
• Hire a wrongful death attorney – Don’t hire just any lawyer. You need someone who is experienced in wrongful death cases to ensure you receive a fair settlement.

Once you hire a competent wrongful death attorney, you can rest assured that the investigation, demand for compensation, lawsuit, or any other necessary steps will be handled within the deadlines given by the state.

Compassionate Wrongful Death Suit Attorneys in San Diego

Petrov Law Firm is here when your family needs us the most. Call 619.344.0360 to get your case started today, and let our experienced attorneys go to work for you to ensure you receive the maximum settlement.

Two Essentials for Safe Cycling on San Diego Roadways

Riding your bicycle around the San Diego area is a great way to get some exercise. It can also help you to beat the traffic during your daily commute to work or even on a short trip to the store. However, you need to be careful out there when sharing the road with drivers. People are more distracted than ever before. How can you stay safe? Here are two essential tips to avoid accidents when sharing the road with motor vehicles.

• Make yourself as visible to drivers as possible with bicycle lights – California law does require some reflectors and lighting for all cyclists. However, if you really want to be as safe as possible, you should outfit your bike with a complete accompaniment of lights, including front and rear lighting, as well as turn signals.
• Remember that a car making a right-hand turn can be dangerous – We often think of turning to the right as the safest thing you can do in a car. And that is exactly why it becomes so dangerous for a cyclist. A driver may not be looking for someone on a bike passing in the bicycle lane while they try to make that right-hand turn. Or, they may punch it as soon as the light turns green at a stoplight without looking to see if a bike is next to them and preparing to go straight.

San Diego’s Trusted Bicycle Accident Attorneys

If you have been injured in an accident by a driver in the state of California, you want an experienced attorney on your side. Petrov Law Firm has just the lawyers you need to get the settlement you deserve. Call us today at 619.344.0360.

Tips for Safely Operating Your Bicycle in Southern California

There is more to safe cycling than just paying attention to drivers. Here are some of the things that a cyclist needs to pay attention to in order to protect yourself and others. There are also California state laws, so be sure you don’t end up with a citation.

• Always wear your helmet – For adults, this is strictly for safety, but for those under the age of 18, it’s the law (even if you’re just a passenger).
• Don’t use your cell phone while riding – There are no laws against this like there are when driving a car. However, you can just as easily get into an accident if you are distracted while riding your bike.
• Don’t wear headsets or earbuds – You need to be able to hear what is going on around you. For example, a driver may honk to warn you if you start to drift out of the bike lane. If you want to listen to music, that’s okay. But you can only have one earpiece in legally.
• Watch out for pedestrians – Make sure you always yield the right of way to pedestrians, especially in a crosswalk when it is the law. You also have to be on the lookout for blind pedestrians who may be using a white cane or being led by a canine.
• Don’t block pedestrian walkways when you park

Cyclist and Pedestrian Personal Injury Attorneys in San Diego

At Petrov Law Firm, we have experience representing pedestrians and cyclists when it comes to accidents and injuries. Call 619.344.0360, so we can help you to maximize the settlement you receive from the insurance company.

Don’t Get Tripped Up By These Challenging Driving Conditions

Motor vehicle accidents are shockingly common and occur for many reasons. Driving too fast, being distracted, or getting behind the wheel while sleepy or under the influence can all lead to serious injuries or even loss of life. However, even when you are a safe driver, there are still conditions that can make a car accident more likely. Here are a few times to use extra caution.

• Driving in a construction zone – There is a good reason that speed limits are reduced in a construction zone. Workers are present, there are construction vehicles, there could be debris in the road – you have to be as careful as possible.
• Driving after dark – Switching between high and low beam headlights is an essential part of staying safe after dark. You need maximum visibility without blinding oncoming traffic. Depending on the area you are driving, you may also need to be on the lookout for wildlife, which tends to be more active at night.
• Driving in poor weather conditions – Fog, rain, and other poor weather conditions can make driving more difficult. You have to drive slower when you don’t have as much visibility or when the road conditions make it tougher to stop.

If You Have Been Injured in a Motor Vehicle Accident

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident in southern California, you need the assistance of the personal injury attorneys at Petrov Law Firm. Call 619.344.0360 today to get the help you need when dealing with a car insurance company.

Four Types of Wrongful Death Lawsuits

A wrongful death is a terrible tragedy that can cause untold grief to a family. One minute, a member of your family seems like they will be with you for years to come, and the next, they are gone without any good reason. We are so sorry if your family is dealing with this sort of horrific tragedy.

Unfortunately, you are far from alone. Disasters like this occur every day in southern California. Here are just four of the many types of wrongful death cases that we see all too often, right here in our area.

• Motor vehicle accidents – This can include car accidents, trucks, motorcycles, and even pedestrians or cyclists. Additionally, there are off-road vehicles like ATVs that may lead to a wrongful death.
• Defective products – If safety instructions are not included, or there is a defect in the product itself, the manufacturer may be at fault for a death caused by their product.
• Workplace accidents – Workers need to be properly trained and provided the necessary safety equipment for their job. If these minimum standards are not met, the company is at fault for any deaths that occur on the job.
• Medical malpractice – Patients deserve a particular standard of care. If the minimum standard is not met, compensation is necessary.

The Assistance You Need During Times of Tragedy

Money cannot bring your loved one back or fill the void of their sudden loss. However, you should still get what you deserve to help your family weather the loss, especially if you lost a primary breadwinner. The compassionate attorneys at Petrov Law Firm are here to help. Call 619.344.0360 to get your case started now.03

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.

Tips for Safely Riding Your Bicycle in the San Diego Area

Bicycle accidents can turn deadly fast when a motor vehicle is involved. At the very least, a serious injury that requires medical attention is likely. Therefore, you want to do what you can to protect yourself. Here are a few tips that will prove beneficial for accident avoidance. Then we will let you know what to do if you have already been injured in an accident.

• Ride defensively – Your best weapon for defense is knowing where you are and realizing that drivers won’t always have that same information. While it is true that a driver should be aware of their surroundings, there are more distractions than ever before. Basically, you always have to assume that a driver doesn’t see you and ride accordingly.
• Wear reflective clothing – It also helps to have something reflective on your bike (especially since it is California law). This will serve as extra protection at night.
• Use bicycle lighting – Again, California has some legislation in this regard, but you may even want to go beyond what the law requires. Adding signal lights to go along with your hand signals may help drivers notice you.

And don’t forget to take your mask with you, while we are still dealing with this pandemic.

San Diego Attorneys to Help Accident Victims

The personal injury lawyers at Petrov Law Firm are here to help if you have built up medical bills due to an accident. Call 619.344.0360 to speak with a compassionate attorney, and get your settlement started today.

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.