Car Accident Attorney Tag

California Wants You to “Put Down Your Phone”

Public service announcements regarding distracted driving are not new in the state of California. The latest initiative encourages motorists to “Put Down Your Phone. Just Drive.” The effects of distracted driving can change lives in an instant. From serious injuries to fatalities, it is difficult to imagine how anyone continues to drive while using a phone in an illegal manner.

However, for those who just haven’t gotten the point yet, they may soon start to get a different kind of point – the ones that go on your license and lead to increased insurance fees. That’s right, in 2021, California is going to start applying points to distracted driving infractions if more than one occurs in a 36-month period. Each infraction will add another point, and those can add up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year in insurance premiums.

Will hitting drivers in the wallet finally encourage them to put down the phone and just drive? Only time will tell. But for now, it is just a reminder of how dangerous distracted driving can be and how important it is to quit this bad habit.

If You Have Been Injured in a Motor Vehicle Accident

Petrov Law Firm is here for you if you have been injured in an accident with a distracted driver. Contact us today at 619.344.0360 to get your case started. We have the experience you need when going up against an auto insurance company to get the settlement that you deserve.

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.

3 Common Accident Causes – How to Avoid Becoming a Victim

Car accidents are one of the most common causes of personal injury in the state of California. We’re going to take a closer look at three of the most common causes of car accidents so that you have the best chance of protecting yourself and your loved ones.

1. Alcohol – Drunk driving is not only related to accidents involving injuries, but it is particularly associated with auto accident fatalities. The smart move is to call a taxi, Uber, or just let a friend be a designated driver, especially around the holidays when the frequency of drunk driving accidents spikes.
2. Speeding – Nearly all auto accidents go back to speeding. Whether the driver is distracted, drunk, or running a stop sign, the collision still usually has to do with speed. Always drive the speed limit, and give other drivers who are willing to break the law a wider berth when they try to pass.
3. Hazardous weather conditions – From low visibility due to fog to rain and slippery wet roads, there are all sorts of weather conditions that make it more dangerous to be on the road. If you have to be out in the bad weather, be sure to use proper defensive driving techniques, and leave extra room between you and the vehicle in front of you.

If You Have Been Injured in an Auto Accident in California

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in an auto accident in the state of California, the personal injurie attorneys at Petrov Law Firm can help you to receive a proper settlement rather than the ridiculous first offer that most insurance companies make. To learn more, call our San Diego office today at 619-344-0360.

3 Things to Consider While Driving During the Summer

The summer months are some of the most dangerous for drivers. What do you need to know so that you can keep yourself and your family safe? Here are 3 things to think about when getting behind the wheel during the sunny summer months.

#1 Vacationing Drivers

You can’t expect drivers during the summer months to know where they are going. That vacationing driver doesn’t know the usual traffic patterns and may not even be familiar with all of the local driving laws.

#2 High School Drivers

One of the reasons that accidents spike during the summer months is that teens who are off from school are on the road a lot more. You have to be aware of inexperienced drivers who may be paying more attention to their passengers or a smartphone than the road.

#3 Road Construction

Workers take advantage of the dry summer months to get additional road projects done. That means you may run into more construction than usual on your daily travels or summer road trips. Keep an eye out for rapidly changing traffic patterns.

Car Accident Injury Attorneys

If you have been injured in a car accident, the personal injury attorneys at Petrov Law Firm can help you to deal with insurance companies and at-fault drivers. You may be eligible to receive a settlement to compensate you for medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages. To learn more, call 619-344-0360 before accepting any kind of settlement.

The Difference Between Fault or No-Fault States for Drivers

State-by-state car insurance works either under the presumption of fault or no-fault. What is the difference, and which regulations apply in the state of California? Read on for some important info if you are ever injured in a car accident.

What Is At-Fault Insurance?

At-fault insurance means that every accident will have a driver who is deemed the one to blame for the incident. Even if one driver is considered 51% in the wrong and the other 49%, someone has to be chosen as the at-fault driver. This means one driver’s insurance will be responsible for the other driver’s injuries. Your liability insurance will pay for the other driver’s injuries if you are at fault, and your insurance will only cover your injuries if you have personal injury protection (PIP) insurance.

What Is No-Fault Insurance?

In no-fault states, each driver’s insurance will cover his or her own injuries regardless of who caused the accident. In these states, PIP is mandatory (except in KY, NJ, and PA where a person can opt-out in writing). If you cause an accident, your liability coverage will still pay for the other driver’s car, so the no-fault coverage really just applies to injuries.

What Kind of State Is California?

Only 12 states have no-fault insurance, and California is not one of them. The good news is that if you are in an accident and the other person is at fault, your insurance premiums should not increase (in no-fault states, both drivers are affected). The downside is that the at-fault driver’s insurance may contest their driver being at fault, which could delay a payout.

Getting Help in an At-Fault Insurance Case

Whether the at-fault driver’s insurance is dragging their feet paying damages or offering way less than you should be receiving, Petrov Law Firm can help. Out personal injury attorneys specialize in car accident cases, so you can be confident of getting compensated for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and the like.  Just call 619-344-0360 to schedule your consultation.

3 Injuries Commonly Caused by Car Accidents

Injuries suffered in a car accident can range from minor to major and from short-term to chronic. We’re going to take a look at three types of injuries that are commonly caused by car accidents.

#1 Whiplash and Other Spine Injuries

Whiplash can occur in an accident that takes place going as slow as 5 mph. Even if there is no damage to the vehicle, the spine may have suffered from misalignments. In more serious accidents, neck and back injuries can lead to paralysis or even loss of life. If any part of your spine is in pain in the days following a car accident, you should see a doctor for an examination, even if you were initially given a clean bill of health.

#2 Concussions and Other Head Injuries

Most people do not realize that you don’t have to hit your head to sustain a concussion. If the head is flung around fast enough, the brain can strike the inside of the skull. This is equally traumatic. Even if there are no visible bumps or bruises, you should see a doctor if you hit your head or were seriously jostled in the accident.

#3 Cuts and Lacerations

Whether you are cut by breaking glass or something in the vehicle that broke or became a projectile, you should see a doctor to find out if you need stitches. In some cases, a deep cut can hit a ligament, tendon, or nerve and do significant long-term damage that may require corrective surgery.

If You Have Suffered These or Other Injuries in an Accident

If you are experiencing losses due to an injury suffered in a car accident, you may be able to gain compensation. Before signing anything presented by an insurance company, seek legal counsel. The personal injury attorneys at Petrov Law Firm will be happy to help you understand your rights. Call 619-344-0360 to get started.

What to Do if You’re Injured During an Uber Ride

As Uber becomes a more popular service in San Diego and across the nation, it only makes sense that more people might find themselves getting a ride through the popular service when an accident occurs. What can you do to be properly compensated if an injury occurs? Here’s what you need to know.

What California Law Requires from Uber

The company itself carries a million-dollar policy to cover cases of personal injury or wrongful death should one of their drivers be at fault. That means while your Uber driver may have personal insurance as well, it will be Uber’s insurance that should cover your settlement.

What if the other driver is at fault? Then it would be the other driver’s insurance that needs to cover your damages due to the accident. But don’t worry about what will happen if the other driver isn’t carrying insurance. Uber’s insurance covers for uninsured or underinsured drivers. That means if the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough to cover your expenses, Uber’s insurance will take over.

Thanks to California state laws, you don’t have to worry about what will happen if you are in an accident during a ride. You know there are funds to cover your medical expenses and other damages. Now you just need to the right personal injury attorneys to help you maximize your settlement.

If You’re in Need of a Personal Injury Attorney in San Diego

Petrov Law Firm can provide you with the experienced legal counsel you need when an injury occurs in a motor vehicle accident. Contact us today by calling 619-344-0360 to schedule a consultation.

Navigating Roadways Safely During Inclement Weather

There are many weather conditions that can make driving more dangerous. In such situations, it is vital to alter your driving habits to be safe. You can’t account for how other drivers will deal with the weather, so this is definitely a situation that calls for defensive driving. Here are a few tips to help you arrive safely.

How to Drive Safely in Various Weather Conditions

What are some weather conditions that affect driving? Here are a few situations to be aware of:

• Snow – Snow decreases visibility, can make it tough to see where the road is and makes it more difficult to stop. To increase safety, try to avoid driving on roads that are covered with snow if at all possible. Be sure to clear off your car completely before leaving home. That includes the hood so that snow doesn’t fly up onto your windshield while driving. Clearing the roof of the car will help protect the drivers behind you.
• Ice – Icy road conditions are extremely dangerous and usually call for canceling your plans and staying home. If you have to drive during icy conditions, drive slow, leave plenty of extra room between you and other cars, and always assume other people won’t be able to brake properly.
• Fog – In foggy conditions, you need to slow down because you can’t see far enough ahead to know if the road is clear and safe. You also need to leave more room between you and the car in front of you. If the driver in front of you comes across an obstruction in the road and slams on the breaks, you need enough room to stop.
• Heavy Rain – Rainfall can make it so difficult to see that pulling off to the side of the road until the rain slows down may become a necessity. It can be inconvenient to wait out a storm while traveling, but it’s far less inconvenient than an accident.

If You Have Been in an Accident Where Weather Is a Factor

If you are in an accident in bad weather, an insurance company may decide it is no one’s fault and want to pay out the minimum that it can. If you were driving safely and the other driver was at fault for not adjusting to road conditions, you should be entitled to additional compensation. Petrov Law Firm can help you maximize compensation. Call us today at 619-344-0360 to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney.

What Happens if an Uninsured Driver Is in an Accident in California?

First of all, California state law makes each individual driver financially responsible for liability in case of an accident. That means that each driver either needs to have car insurance or needs to care for this responsibility in another manner. For example, you don’t have to have liability insurance if you leave $35,000 cash on deposit with the DMV. Most people don’t have that kind of money lying around, so insurance is how we maintain financial responsibility.

However, there are times when a person may be in a car accident while driving without liability insurance. What happens if that person is you? What happens if that person is the driver who crashes into your car?

If You Are in an Accident with No Insurance

Remember that the other person probably does have insurance and get his or her info. That insurance company still needs to cover you. The fact that you don’t have insurance doesn’t waive the other person’s liability insurance from having to pay for your medical bills and possibly other damages.

If the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance

You probably noticed a fee in your monthly premiums for an uninsured or underinsured driver. In other words, your insurance should have you covered, even if the other driver has no insurance or an insufficient amount of insurance to cover your medical bills. Check your policy to make sure you have this coverage.

Protect Yourself from Insurance Issues After an Accident

Hiring the right personal injury attorney can help you to get what you deserve from whichever insurance company you deserve it from. That’s where Petrov Law Firm steps in and gives you peace of mind. We have experience in getting insurance companies to pay what they really owe you following an accident, rather than the stingy first offer that most make (if they offer to pay anything at all). Just call 619-344-0360 to get your case started today.

If You Are in an Accident, Don’t Do These 3 Things

Car accidents happen every day. It can be a frightening experience, even if it just turns out to be a minor fender bender. When involved in an accident, there are certain things that are important to either do or not do. Here are 3 things you need to avoid.

#1 Do Not Drive Away! This is the number one thing to remember under California law. If you leave the accident before making sure everyone is okay, huge fines and jail time can be the result. You have to stop the car immediately and make sure no one has been injured. If you do drive away, the punishment will depend on the circumstances, such as how badly a person was injured or if anyone was killed in the accident.

#2 Never Admit Fault Unfortunately, this means fighting the urge to apologize. Sometimes we say we are sorry something happened just because we feel bad for the person and not because we caused the problem in any way. However, lawyers and insurance companies will be quick to jump on an apology as an admission of guilt or being at fault for the accident. You can be compassionate toward another driver without saying you are sorry.

#3 Don’t Leave the Police and Insurance Out of It All too often, a driver will try to avoid calling the authorities or insurance companies if there appears to be little or no damage. The problem is that you may just not see the extent of the damage immediately. Plus, there may be physical injuries that reveal themselves later. Leaving the scene without talking to the police or reporting the accident to insurance companies will may it tough to receive any compensation after the fact.

Why Call Petrov Law Firm

Following the advice above will protect you from legal action and help you to get the compensation you deserve. Petrov Law Firm can help by providing highly-qualified personal injury attorneys who specialize in car accidents. Call 619-344-0360 to schedule a consultation and discuss your case with a legal professional.