personal injury accident Tag

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!

Three Steps to Take After Experiencing a Personal Injury

Have you been injured due to the fault or negligence of another person, business, or public entity? Then you need to take these three essential steps to ensure you receive the proper care and compensation.

1. Seek medical care as needed – Some shy away from medical care due to the expense. Others don’t think they were injured that badly. However, later you may begin to experience symptoms of a whiplash injury, post-concussion syndrome, or even post-traumatic stress due to the trauma of an accident.
2. Gather evidence – Photographs of the scene are usually the best form of evidence. This is especially true in the wake of a car accident or a slip and fall injury. There may also be a police report or accident report. If so, be sure to get a copy. Keep track of all of your medical bills and any missed work. These are tangible losses and are necessary if you are going to seek compensation for the injury.
3. Hire an experienced personal injury attorney – After a personal injury, an insurance company usually takes over to determine if there is a possible claim. They may even offer a settlement. Never sign anything without legal counsel. Remember that the insurance company is thinking about their own bottom line first.

Experienced Personal Injury Lawyers in Southern California

Petrov Law Firm is here to help you get what you deserve from the insurance company that is handling your personal injury settlement. Give us a call at 619.344.0360 today to get our experienced attorneys on your side.

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!

Don’t Fall for These Insurance Company Tricks on Your Personal Injury Case

The fact of the matter is that insurance adjusters are always going to be nice to your face or on the phone. It’s part of their job, and many of them are decent people. However, another part of their job is to pay out as little as possible so that the insurance company is profitable.

Therefore, you can’t trust an insurance company to make you a fair offer. Here are a few tricks an insurance company may use to reduce how much they pay out.

• Delays – If the insurance company stalls, you may see the medical bills and other expenses increase and become desperate. Then you will be tempted to accept a lower settlement. Remember that delaying tactics and low first offers are all part of the game insurance companies play to hold onto their money.
• Requests – If the insurance company is asking you to do things that seem like their job, you’re probably right. The idea is to make things so difficult on the person trying to make a claim that a percentage of people will just give up. Every payout that doesn’t happen is a big win for the insurance company.
• Pressure – Telling you this is the only offer you are going to get, it’s a good offer, they are taking care of you, and you’ll end up with nothing if you don’t sign this right now are high-pressure tactics to make you take less than you deserve.

Don’t Sign Anything Until You Speak with a Personal Injury Attorney

If you have been injured in California, Petrov Law Firm can be an ally in seeking compensation from an insurance company. Get in touch with an experienced personal injury lawyer now by calling 619.344.0360.

The Link Between Car Accidents and PTSD

According to researchers, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is very possible in the wake of a motor vehicle accident. In fact, people who experience severe car accidents are at risk for psychological problems in general. What are some of the signs of PTSD?

• Unwanted memories – reliving of the event
• Flashbacks to the trauma
• Nightmares regarding the traumatic event
• Severe emotional distress when reminded of the trauma
• Trying to avoid thinking about or talking about the event
• Avoiding places or people that remind you of the trauma
• Negative or hopeless thoughts
• Emotional numbness
• Feelings of detachment and difficulty maintaining relationships
• Being easily startled and always on guard
• Difficulty concentrating
• Difficulty sleeping
• Feelings of guilt or shame
• Irritability or aggressive behavior

If you begin to notice any of these symptoms in the wake of a motor vehicle accident, you should contact a healthcare professional immediately. A doctor or mental health professional may be able to help you work through the challenges caused by PTSD, possibly with the help of prescription medication or cognitive behavioral therapy.

Getting Help for Your Car Accident Settlement

Receiving care is the number one thing following an accident. After that, you need to figure out how to pay for it. A settlement from the insurance company can help to cover medical bills, including ongoing expenses due to related issues like PTSD. Petrov Law Firm can help you to get what you really deserve from the insurance company. Before accepting any settlement, contact us at 619.344.0360 to discuss your case and learn what options are available to you.

Safety Tips to Help You Avoid Drowsy Driving

More people are taking road trips rather than flying to their destination during the pandemic. Driving back and forth on a daily commute can also lead to drowsy driving, especially if you drive off-hours to try and beat the traffic. Here are a few tips to help keep you safe at the wheel.

• Don’t drive during your normal sleep hours – If you stick to a sleep schedule, don’t change it up and get behind the wheel. You’ve trained your body to be asleep during those hours.
• Take needed breaks – If you are driving for longer than two hours or more than 100 miles, schedule breaks.
• Have a second driver – On long trips, it helps to have a second driver who can take over if you get tired.
• Check medication labels – This is especially vital if you are starting a new medication. If the label says that it may cause drowsiness, you need to see how your body responds before you get behind the wheel. Talk to your doctor if you think a prescription medication is making you drowsy during times you have to drive.

What If You Have Been Injured by a Drowsy Driver?

If you have been injured in a car accident by a drowsy driver, or if the other driver is at fault for any other reason, then you deserve compensation. Contact Petrov Law Firm today at 619.344.0360 to get our experienced personal injury attorneys on your side. We have the know-how you want when dealing with an insurance company to get the settlement you deserve.

Most Car Accident Causes Are Avoidable

California is a tort state when it comes to auto accidents. The driver who is at fault for the accident is on the hook for the damages. So avoiding car accidents where the blame is you is a must. Otherwise, your insurance company will have to pay out, and your rates will go up.

Since most car accidents are avoidable, you may be due compensation if the accident was the other driver’s fault. Here are some things that would make it clear that the other driver is to blame for the accident.

• Driving distracted – Whether they were on the phone, eating, reading, or applying makeup, a distracted driver is at fault in most auto accidents.
• Speeding – Car accidents that involve a driver who is speeding often end up doing more damage, both to property and to passengers. There’s no excuse for breaking the speed limit.
• Drunk driving – This one should be obvious. If someone is in a car accident and it turns out they are drunk, the blame is going on them. They should never have been behind the wheel.
• Reckless driving – When you see a car weaving in and out of traffic on the highway, it is best to let them go by. If they cause an accident, they will be to blame, but it’s just better to avoid the accident if possible.

If You Have Been Injured By a Driver in California…

These are just a few of the many behaviors that would make an auto accident a driver’s fault. If you have been injured by a driver involved in such a dangerous activity in southern California, contact Petrov Law Firm in San Diego. Our personal injury lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve. Call 619.344.0360 to get started right away.

Determining Liability in Truck Accidents

When the driver of a tractor-trailer makes a mistake, the effects can be disastrous for other nearby drivers. What are some of the most common ways that a truck driver loses control over their haul?

• Wide turns – A semi needs a much wider turning radius than smaller vehicles. If the truck driver tries to make the turn but crosses a double yellow line and strikes your vehicle, this is the fault of the trailer driver.
• Jackknifing – You may have heard this term, but outside of the world of transport, few people know what it means. Jackknifing is when the trailer swings out to the left or right of the cab that is pulling it. It usually occurs when a driver is traveling at unsafe speeds, makes a sudden motion with the wheel, brakes at the wrong time, or hasn’t adjusted their driving to what road conditions call for. The quick swing of the trailer can result in striking a vehicle, even forcing it off the road.
• Rolls – When a cab is pulling a heavy load and takes a turn at high speeds, there is a risk of tipping over. While a truck rolling will normally only affect the driver in the cab, if you happen to be alongside a trailer when this happens, it can cause severe damage or injuries.

Support for Your Personal Injury Case Involving a Truck

These are just a few of the things that can cause a truck driver to be at fault for an auto accident. When you need help maximizing your settlement from the insurance company, Petrov Law Firm is here for you. Give us a call today at 619.344.0360 to get your case into the hands of one of our experienced truck accident attorneys.

Pro Tips for Receiving a Fair Car Accident Settlement

In order to optimize the settlement that you receive in the wake of a San Diego car accident injury, you will want the assistance of a California personal injury attorney. Here are a few more tips to ensure that you receive a fair offer from the insurance company.

• Report the accident to the police and get a copy of the police report. Be sure never to admit any amount of liability.
• Document the accident scene if possible. If you can take pictures or even record a video of the scene and the surroundings, this is all helpful. Get pictures of the vehicle positions, damage, street signage, and the like. If any eyewitnesses pulled over, get their names and contact information.
• Don’t wait to see a doctor. Being in shock may cause you not to feel pain or injury. The longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to connect your injury to the accident.
• Don’t go on the record with either a written or verbal statement. The only person you should be speaking about your accident with is your personal injury attorney. This includes social media! Don’t Tweet or in any other way post information about the accident.
• Keep track of the damages. This includes your medical bills, missed days of work, and any other losses that directly or indirectly relate to the accident and injury.

Call Petrov Law Firm Today to Maximize Your Settlement

Petrov Law Firm in San Diego has the experienced attorneys that you want on your side when dealing with an insurance company. Don’t sign anything before you have the chance to discuss your case. Call 619.344.0360 to get started.