Personal Injury Attorney Tag

Steps to Take After an Injury at a Store

If you have been injured while in a store, you need to take the right steps in order to receive the proper medical care and to be fairly compensated.

1. Call for immediate help if needed. If you don’t think a 911 call is warranted, you should still see a doctor as soon as possible to make sure there was no underlying damage that occurred.
2. Collect evidence from the scene. This means taking pictures or videos of the site. You also want to get contact information for any eyewitnesses.
3. Speak with an employee. You will likely have to fill out an accident report outlining what occurred. Be sure to ask for a copy.
4. Track your medical expenses. You can also track lost workdays or other expenses that are related to the injury.
5. Hire a personal injury attorney. When you experience an injury that occurs on a store’s property, you are likely going to be dealing with an insurance company. The insurance company’s goal is to pay out as little as possible, so don’t sign anything or accept a settlement without seeking counsel for yourself.

Personal Injury Attorneys in Southern California

If your injury occurred in southern California, Petrov Law Firm is here to help. Call our San Diego office at 619.344.0360 to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. We can help you get what you deserve from an insurance company. Don’t let the corporate suits push you around! Petrov Law Firm is here to help you receive the maximum compensation for your injuries.

What to Know When You Experience an Injury on Public Property in CA

When you are injured in a privately owned home or business, the insurance of the owner is likely to cover the bill for your medical expenses and other losses. However, what happens when you are on public property and an injury occurs?

If it is due to the negligence of a public entity such as a government facility or department, you may still be able to receive compensation, but there are some differences in how you have to proceed.

• File your claim immediately – With most personal injury cases in the state of California, you get two years to file a claim. However, the statute of limitations when a public entity is involved is just six months, so there is no time to delay.
• If you were injured on a sidewalk, the adjacent property owner might be liable – This is because most counties or cities in California have laws that place the responsibility of keeping sidewalks well maintain on the owner of the adjacent property.
• Any facility that a public agency owns will fall into this category – Thus, whether you are at a public school (not a privately owned university) or even a community center, the property is considered public.

Get the Help You Need After an Injury on Public Property in CA

Petrov Law Firm is here to help if you have been injured on public property. Just call 619.344.0360 to have an experienced personal injury attorney take a look at your case. But remember: There is no time to delay when dealing with a public entity – you don’t want the statute of limitations to run out.

Don’t Make These Mistakes With Your Slip & Fall Accident Claim

A slip and fall injury often results in a settlement covering medical costs and other losses. However, whether you receive a settlement (and how much) may depend on avoiding the two most common mistakes. Here they are so that you can handle your case the right way and get the compensation you deserve.

• Mistake 1: Letting the statute of limitations expire – In California, you get two years to make a personal injury claim. That gets cut down to six months if it happens on government property. Be sure to start your suit in time so that you don’t miss out on a potential claim.
• Mistake 2: Not hiring an experienced personal injury attorney – You don’t want to go up against an insurance company alone. They thrive on paying out as little as possible to get people to walk away from what they really deserve. You also want an attorney who specifically has experience in slip and fall cases. You can’t just walk into any legal office and get the assistance you need to maximize a settlement.

Get the Help You Need for Your California Slip and Fall Injury Claim

Petrov Law Firm in San Diego has the experienced personal injury attorneys that you want on your side when you have experienced an injury due to the negligence of an individual, business, or public entity. Give us a call today at 619.344.0360. Once we discuss the particulars of the case, we can help you to receive the compensation that you deserve.

California Statute of Limitations Varies By Case Type

When you experience injuries or loss due to the intent or negligence of another party, you deserve to be compensated. However, in order to receive the compensation, you have to file suit within the proper amount of time. If the statute of limitations passes, you won’t be able to seek compensation for damages.

In California, the statute of limitations can vary from case to case, depending on the damages that occur. Here are a few examples of the different timeframe you may have based on the particulars of your case.

• Personal injury – For a general personal injury case, you have two years to file a suit. This would include motor vehicle accidents, slip and fall injuries, dog bites, and the like.
• Property damage – If you are okay, but your property was damaged, you have three years to begin the case. For example, if you were in a motor vehicle accident but were unharmed and are not seeking compensation for medical bills, you can take an extra year to file suit.
• Wrongful death – In the case of wrongful death, the statute of limitations is usually two years. However, you should ask a lawyer about your specific case.
• Medical malpractice – Medical malpractice suits usually only get one year to be filed. Keep in mind that there are special rules in place regarding the current pandemic.

Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Attorneys in California

Of course, there are other types of cases that may have a shorter or longer statute of limitations. The defendant will impact the timeframe as well. For example, claims against a public entity (for example, a government facility) have a shorter time in which to start the case. Contact the attorneys at Petrov Law Firm by calling 619.344.0360 to learn more about your case.

What Are Compensatory Damages?

When you experience a personal injury, you can be awarded compensatory damages as well as punitive damages. Today, we are going to focus on what compensatory damages are and some of the things that are included. While most cases will end up settled out of court, understanding the compensation that is legally allowed will help you to understand why you need a personal injury attorney to assist you maximize your settlement.

There are two types of compensatory damages:

• Actual damages include things like compensation for hospital bills, physical therapy, medications, ambulance expenses, medical equipment, property repair or replacement, lost wages, lost employment, increased living expenses, and other tangible damages like these.
• General damages compensate you for things like a decreased quality of life, long-term pain and suffering, the loss of future wages, future medical expenses, mental anguish, disfigurement, inconvenience, and other losses that be less tangible and more difficult to put a precise dollar value on.

Knowing what you are due is a must because insurance companies frequently offer a settlement that covers a fraction of these expenses in order to get you to walk away. Don’t sign anything before you speak to an attorney who can help you to get what you truly deserve!

Assistance for Your Personal Injury Settlement in California

Petrov Law Firm in San Diego has the experienced personal injury attorneys that you want in your corner when you are seeking compensation from an insurance company. Contact us today at 619.344.0360, so we can review your case and help you to maximize your compensation.

The Top Phone Settings for Safer Driving

Avoiding distractions from your phone while driving is about more than just the potential for a ticket. You want to be a safe driver for yourself, your passengers, and others on the road. Here are the top phone settings to use when you are on the road if you want to stay as safe as possible.

• Turn it off – Of course, the best way to avoid distraction is to have your phone off altogether. However, we will consider several other options since this is not always a viable solution. For example, you may need to use your phone as your GPS.
• Manual Do Not Disturb – You can also turn the DND mode on your phone on manually. Make sure that it is set not to alert you for calls or texts. When you arrive at your location or stop for a break, you can check your phone and respond as needed.
• Driving Do Not Disturb – Most phones will allow you to set an automatic DND mode for when you are driving. This mode will alert the person who calls you that you are currently driving and will respond when it is safe to do so.
• Bluetooth – Many cars now allow you to link your phone via Bluetooth, which permits you to perform some functions legally, such as answering calls or having texts read to you.

If You Have Been Injured By a Distracted Driver in San Diego

Petrov Law Firm is here to help car accident victims maximize insurance company settlements. If the other driver was distracted, this gives you valid cause to seek compensation. Call us today at 619.344.0360 to learn more.

3 Tips for Maximizing the Payout on Your Slip and Fall Injury Settlement

A slip and fall accident can cause injuries to the legs, arms, or even the face and head. How can you get the settlement you need in order to pay the tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills, not to mention making up for any missed work? Here are three tips to help you maximize your payout.

• See a doctor – Without medically documented injuries, you are unlikely to receive anything in a settlement. You have to be able to prove that there are damages in connection with the injury.
• Gather proof – There are many things that can serve as proof in your personal injury case. Take pictures at the scene of the accident if possible. If they are time-stamped with the location embedded, that’s even better. Get a copy of the accident or injury report you filled out at the scene. Gather any medical bills or other expenses you have receipts for that relate to the injury.
• Call Petrov Law Firm – You want to an experienced personal injury attorney in your corner when dealing with an insurance company, which is just about always the case when a slip and fall injury occurs.

San Diego’s Personal Injury Attorneys

If you have been injured in Southern California, you can find the help you need at Petrov Law Firm. Call 619.344.0360 to get in touch with our experienced team and get started on your personal injury case today. We’re here to help when you need it most!

Don’t Fall for These Myths Regarding Pedestrian Accidents and Injuries

When a pedestrian is involved in an accident and is injured because of a driver, the injuries may be very serious. Today, we will debunk a few myths regarding pedestrian injuries so that you don’t end up accepting a settlement that is too low.

• Myth 1: The vehicle has to make contact to get compensation. This one isn’t true at all. If you get hurt diving out of the way of a driver, you are not penalized for your quick reflexes. The driver is still on the hook for forcing you to dive and hurt yourself, and the insurance company should know this. Don’t let them cheat you.
• Myth 2: Only high-speed collisions cause serious injury. The driver is in a car, and you are not. The driver may not experience serious injuries at speeds of 5 mph, but you could have broken bones, a concussion, or other injuries. Be sure to get checked by a doctor, even if you can get up and walk away from the incident. Not all injuries are visible immediately.
• Myth 3: You can’t afford an attorney. It’s more like you can’t afford not to have one! A personal injury lawyer is the only one on your side when an accident like this occurs. The insurance company is going to want to pay out as little as possible, or nothing at all if they can get away with it.

Get the Help You Need as an Injured Pedestrian in Southern California

The personal injury attorneys at Petrov Law Firm in San Diego can help you to maximize your settlement. Let us help you get what you deserve from a greedy insurance company. Call 619.344.0360 and start your case now.

The Most Crucial Information to Share with Your Personal Injury Attorney

A personal injury case involves damages due to negligence or intent of an individual, property owner, dog owner, or the like. You may experience a car accident, a slip and fall, a bite, or some other type of injury that leads to material loss. Here are some crucial pieces of information that your personal injury attorney will need in order to maximize your settlement.

• How it happened – If the injury was your own fault, it is unlikely you are due any compensation. However, if an individual, business, or public entity was responsible, then you should be able to receive compensation.
• Proof of the damages – Did you fill out an accident report, take pictures of the scene, or are there any eyewitnesses to the event? The more evidence you have, the more likely it is that an appropriate settlement can be reached.
• Direct and indirect losses – You can’t sue if you didn’t lose anything. Losses include medical bills, missed days of work, lack of ability to work, emotional turmoil, and the like. Be sure to track all of your medical expenses, regardless of whether something was covered by insurance or not.

Finding the Best Personal Injury Lawyers in San Diego

Petrov Law Firm is here to help you with your California personal injury case. Contact us right away to get your settlement as soon as possible. Just call 619.344.0360 today and schedule a consultation to see if you are eligible to receive compensation.

Common But Dangerous Things People Do While Driving

When we talk about dangerous things that drivers do, we often focus on using smartphones, being too tired, or operating a vehicle under the influence. However, there are many other common things that people do behind the wheel that are also dangerous. Here are a few other things to avoid.

• Speeding – This is at the heart of most car accidents, especially when there is a fatality involved. The faster that vehicles are moving, the more damage that will result from a collision.
• Tailgating – This term means that the driver is too close to the vehicle in front of them. As a result, if the car in front needs to stop short, the tailgating driver is likely to rear-end them. A good rule of thumb is to leave a car length between you and the vehicle in front of you for every 10 miles per hour that you are driving.
• Eating – Keep your hands on the wheel! Eating while driving is distracting, and you simply don’t have time to drop a burger and grab the wheel when a crisis arises.
• Road rage – Driving angry causes people to do dangerous things behind the wheel. A normally safe driver may take reckless risks out of sheer frustration with other drivers. If you can’t get your rage under control, it’s time to pull over and walk it off.

If You Have Been Injured By a Dangerous Driver

Whether the other driver was involved in any of these activities or something else that is dangerous, you may be able to get your losses covered by his or her car insurance. The personal injury attorneys at Petrov Law Firm can help to ensure that the insurance company includes everything that you deserve in the settlement. Call us today at 619.344.0360 to get started.