Car Accident Attorney Tag

Changing Teen Driving Culture to Save Lives

About 4,000 teenagers are killed on US roadways every year due to distracted driving. This makes the number one cause of death for teens completely preventable. It’s not enough to create more laws about distracted driving. There are laws in place nationwide, and it keeps happening. This is about changing the culture of teenage drivers in the United States.

California realizes this and has signaled out young teenage drivers with heavier laws and penalties for phone use. However, it is not enough of a deterrent just to pass laws against distracted driving. Teen passengers need to advocate for themselves.

• Tell the driver if you believe they are taking risks while driving
• Don’t get in the car with a driver who uses their phone or allows other distractions

This is essential because half of the deaths due to distracted adolescent drivers are their passengers. Don’t become the next victim!

Injuries Are Also Common Among Distracted Teen Drivers

There are about 400,000 injuries caused each year by distract adolescent drivers. If you or a loved one has experienced such an injury, you need the help of a personal injury attorney. California is a tort state. The at-fault driver’s insurance should cover all of your medical expenses and other damages. You need an experienced California attorney to help maximize your settlement.

Petrov Law Firm in San Diego can provide you with the assistance you need at this difficult time. Call 619.344.0360 today and get what you really deserve from the insurance company.

Symptoms That May Occur Weeks or Months After a Car Accident

You should always see a doctor in the aftermath of a motor vehicle accident, even if you don’t feel seriously hurt at the time. There are also symptoms to watch out for in the weeks or months after the accident that could indicate your doctor missed something in the initial examination. Here are possible symptoms that could arise and what they may mean.

• Headache – This is one of the most common and persistent problems that can follow an injury. Headaches often indicate whiplash or a concussion.
• Pain in the Neck, Shoulders, or Back – Pain in the neck, shoulders, or back likely indicates a spinal injury. A misalignment could have occurred in the neck or somewhere else along the spine. Whiplash is common after car accidents.
• Numbness and tingling – If you feel numbness and tingling in your extremities, this could indicate nerve damage or a pinched nerve. There may be damage to the spine, misalignments, or even a herniated disk.
• Emotional Trauma – If you discover new or worsening anxiety, depression, irritability, or insomnia following an accident, it may indicate post-concussion syndrome, a brain or neck injury, or PTSD.

Head back to the doctor as soon as possible to ensure the symptoms are linked to the accident.

Get Help Paying Your Medical Bills

The medical bills can rack up, especially if you experience long-term symptoms. Contact Petrov Law Firm to recoup your losses by maximizing the settlement you receive from the insurance company. Call 619.344.0360 to get your case started right away.

Who Has Jurisdiction If You Get Into a Car Accident on Vacation?

One of the worst things that can happen while traveling is a car accident. It can ruin your entire vacation, even more so if you experience injuries as a result of the accident. If you are on vacation, which court has jurisdiction over the accident? You need to know how to recoup your medical expenses and other losses.

As a general rule, you will need to settle the case in the state where the accident occurred. You will also be subject to the laws of that state regarding things like compensation. If you have been injured in a car accident while vacationing in California, the first thing to know is that this is a tort state. What does that mean?

It means that the driver who is at fault covers the damages (or it is split if both drivers share fault). So this means that if the other driver was at fault, you are in luck because their insurance should cover everything. However, you will want the help of a local personal injury attorney who can handle the settlement for you and make sure you are not taken advantage of by the insurance company.

California Car Accident Attorneys

Petrov Law Firm has the personal injury attorneys that you want in your corner if you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident in California. Call 619.344.0360 today to get your case started and to learn how our experienced lawyers can help to maximize your settlement.

Tips for Avoiding Distractions While Driving

There have always been potential distractions for drivers. From conversations with passengers to flipping through radio stations to dashboard dining, anything that pulls your eyes off the road puts you and other drivers at risk. However, the smartphone has emerged as the single deadliest distraction on the road. Here are a few ways to keep yourself from being distracted while driving.

• Turn your phone off while driving – This is the best way to avoid distractions while driving, especially for those under 18 in California who are not even legally allow ed to use a phone hands-free while on the road. Unfortunately, it is often not possible because many of us use the phone for directions.
• Place your phone in do not disturb mode – This is another good option. You can use your phone for things like GPS but won’t receive an alert when a text or call is coming in. This way, you won’t be tempted to look at your phone or respond. Some mobile operating systems will allow you to automatically go into DND mode while driving and will reply with an autoresponder.
• Connect your phone to your car via Bluetooth for hands-free use – While still distracting, some states allow you to use your phone while driving in this way, and it is certainly better than taking your hands off the wheel.

Car Accident Injuries in Southern California

Petrov Law Firm is here to help if you have been injured by a distracted driver. Give us a call at 619.344.0360 and let us help you to maximize the settlement you receive from the auto insurance company.

Most Car Accidents Are Human Error

According to a report by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, nearly all motor vehicle accidents are avoidable. Human error and poor decision-making contribute to more than nine out of every ten auto accidents. What are some of the most glaring mistakes that drivers make?

• Driving under the influence – Whether under the influence of alcohol, illicit drugs, or legal drugs, the results are the same. Intoxicated drivers can’t make good decisions and can end up in serious accidents leading to injuries and even fatalities. Never get behind the wheel if a substance is dulling your reactions.
• Speeding – The speed limit may sometimes seem like a nuisance when you are late or don’t see any other drivers around, but speeding plays a role in nearly every major traffic accident. The laws are in place for a reason.
• Distracted driving – Since the invention of the cell phone, distracted driving has become a bigger issue than ever before. However, reading a text is not the only thing that could cause you to get into an accident. Eating, applying makeup, and even taking your eyes off the road to change the radio station can all result in a dangerous crash.

California Car Accident Attorneys

If you have been injured by a driver who was involved in reckless behavior, you are certainly entitled to compensation. California is a tort state, so the at-fault driver’s insurance should cover your medical bills and other losses. Petrov Law Firm can help you to get the settlement that you deserve, rather than the pitiful offer most insurance companies try to get away with. Call 619.344.0360 to learn more.

Tips for Maximizing a Settlement After a Motor Vehicle Accident

After you have been injured in an automotive accident, it is crucial to follow some essential steps to reach a fair settlement. This will help you to pay your medical bills and to recover financially from other losses you may have endured as a result of the injury. Here are a few tips to help you maximize your settlement.

• Track your expenses – You need to prove that the accident caused a monetary loss. So be sure to keep track of your medical bills related to the accident as well as property damage, lost wages, and the like.
• Never let the insurance company take a statement – Your personal injury attorney should be the only person speaking about your accident with the insurance company. Verbal or written statements can be used against you, and that includes anything you post about the accident on social media.
• Get a medical examination – You should see the doctor as soon as possible after your accident, even if there is no immediate danger. The sooner you see the doctor, the easier it will be to link your injuries to the accident.
• Document what you can – Take pictures or videos of the accident. Be sure to get a copy of the police report.

Get Help from an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney

Going up against an insurance company alone is a sure way to get less than you deserve. The experienced personal injury attorneys at Petrov Law Firm can help you to get a fair settlement. Call 619.344.0360 today to get your case started.

Could You Have Post-Concussion Syndrome After an Accident?

Whether you are in a car accident or you slip and fall, a head injury can cause post-concussion syndrome (PCS). The insidious thing about PCS is that you may not feel that bad after the accident. In fact, you may not even get diagnosed with a concussion if you don’t seek medical attention right away. How can you identify post-concussion syndrome in the days or even weeks following an injury? Here are some of the most common symptoms.

• Headaches – usually tension headaches that could also be related to a neck injury
• Vertigo or dizziness
• Anxiety
• Trouble sleeping
• Memory or concentration problems
• Tinnitus – ringing in your ears
• Sensory sensitivities – especially to bright lights or loud sounds
• Irritability
• Blurry vision

The good news is that the statute of limitations for most personal injury cases in California is two years. So even if you discover long-term effects from your accident in the months that follow, you still have time to begin your case and receive compensation.

Of course, you will need to be examined by a doctor to determine if your injuries and symptoms are related to the accident. You can’t just diagnose yourself from a symptoms list. Be sure to track things like medical expenses and missed days of work.

Get the Help You Need for a Personal Injury Case in Southern California

The personal injury attorneys at Petrov Law Firm are here to help if you have been injured in an accident in the state of California. Contact our San Diego offices today by calling 619.344.0360, and we will help you to receive the compensation you deserve.

How to Handle a Car Accident While Vacationing in CA

A car accident can put a damper on your vacation real quick, especially if you experience injuries as a result. Here are three things to keep in mind if you are injured in a car accident while vacationing in California.

• California laws apply – For example, California is an at-fault (tort) state. That means the driver who is at fault is the one who needs to cover the losses of the other driver. So if someone else has injured you because they were driving distracted, under the influence, or violating traffic regulations, their insurance should pay for your damages.
• You have to file suit in California – Once again, this means California law applies. Personal injury suits in CA have to be brought up within two years. So don’t sit on an injury for months to see how bad it is or if you experience any long-term effects before lawyering up.
• You should hire a California-based personal injury attorney – It’s the only way to ensure that your lawyer understands California state law and can help you maximize the settlement offered by the insurance company. Knowing that you are out of state will only embolden the insurance company to try and get you to take less in order to walk away.

San Diego’s Personal Injury Attorneys

Petrov Law Firm is highly experienced with all sorts of car accident cases. From cars to motorcycles to trucks, you can count on us to help you get what you deserve. Call 619.3444.0360 to get started today!

3 Things You Need to Know After a Car Accident

Car accidents can lead to expensive medical bills and auto repairs. You need to be compensated for your losses. In the aftermath of a car accident, here are three things to keep in mind.

• Keep track of your losses – This includes your medical bills, the damages to your vehicle, missed workdays, and any long-term damages you may have experienced. Additional pain and suffering should also be added on to compensate you for emotional pain and other less tangible damages.
• Don’t sign anything without a lawyer reviewing it – Agreeing to the initial settlement is rarely in the best interests of the injured party. The insurance company tries to come up with the minimal amount that they think you will accept in order to make things go away as quickly and cheaply as possible. Remember that insurance companies are big businesses. They are not your friend or a wealthy benefactor, regardless of whether it is the other driver’s insurance company or your own.
• Hire a personal injury attorney – You want an experienced lawyer on your side who knows how to deal with insurance companies. This will ensure that you receive a fair settlement in a reasonable amount of time.

San Diego’s Personal Injury Lawyers

At Petrov Law Firm, we have the experienced personal injury lawyers you want in your corner when trying to reach a settlement with an insurance company. Contact us today at 619.344.0360 to go over the particulars of your case. We look forward to helping you get the settlement that you deserve!

Shocking Statistics About Distracted Teen Drivers

Did you know that the number one killer of adolescents in America is also 100% preventable? Teens driving distracted or in a reckless manner results in numerous car accidents each year, many of which are fatal. Here are a few shocking statistics to encourage your teen to drive safely.

• 4,000 teenagers die each year due to distracted driving.
• 50% of deaths due to distracted teen drivers are passengers.
• 400,000 are injured every year by distracted teenage drivers.

Clearly, this has become a part of teenage culture in America. Whether it is driving while using the phone or performing other activities, such as eating – teens need to be educated on how dangerous it is to be distracted while behind the wheel.

It is no wonder that California has enacted additional regulations for drivers under 18 when it comes to phone use. For example, if a driver is 18 or over, they can use a mobile device in a hands-free manner. However, drivers under the age of 18 cannot use a phone at all while on the road, even with voice commands.

What can you do if you or a loved one has been injured by a distracted or reckless driver in the state of California?

Personal Injury Law Firm in San Diego

Petrov Law Firm is here to help! Don’t try and go up against an insurance company alone, and don’t accept an offer without seeking counsel first. Call 619.344.0360 today so we can help you to get what you really deserve as compensation for your losses.