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.
Read More
Filing a Claim When Another Dog Bites Your Dog
If a dog attacks you, a personal injury claim can allow you to receive compensation for your medical bills and other losses. However, what if it is your dog that is attacked by someone else’s dog? Now the claim changes from personal injury to property damage. Even though your dog feels like part of the family, it is property for legal purposes.
That does mean that you may still be entitled to damages. For example, there may be expensive medical bills for your beloved pet. According to California, you need to be compensated for all damages that result from dog attacks.
Unfortunately, property damage claims do not include pain and suffering as a personal injury case would. For example, if your dog is permanently injured, you may receive compensation for future medical care. However, you won’t be compensated for the hardship your pet may face if it should experience lasting harm (for example, the loss of a limb).
Dog Bite Injury Attorneys in Southern California
If you or a family member has been injured by someone else’s dog, Petrov Law Firm is here to help. And while we specialize in personal injury cases, if your family pet stepped in to try and save and the day and experienced harm, you should receive compensation for veterinary bills as well.
Give us a call today at 619.344.0360, so we can discuss the particulars of your case. Our experienced attorneys are just who you want in your corner when seeking compensation from an insurance company.
Read More
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.
Read More
Dog Bite Prevention for Delivery Persons
Delivery persons have always been a target for dog attacks, and with more deliveries than ever before, thanks to the pandemic, you need to know how to stay safe. Whether you are a long-time delivery person or starting a new job, here are some tips to help.
- Don’t make deliveries with headphones on – We understand that music can help the day go faster, but stick to listening while in the truck. When you are approaching a door, you need to be aware of your surroundings.
- Be wary of interactions with the owner – Handing a package to the owner in the presence of a dog may be seen as an aggressive act. Be careful not to make any sudden moves toward a pet owner in the presence of the animal. Plus, during the pandemic, you want to keep your distance anyway.
- Don’t try to interact with the dog – Even if a dog seems friendly, that may change when you make an approach. Even if you really like dogs, it is best not to try and pet dogs you meet on your route.
- Back away – If a dog seems threatened, don’t turn your back on it. It is always best to back away. If you feel it is not safe to make a delivery, you can report it.
Help for Victims of Dog Bites in California
If you do end up experiencing a dog bite, medical bills, missed workdays, and other expenses can add up quickly. Petrov Law Firm can help you to receive the settlement you deserve from the owner’s insurance. Contact us today at 619.344.0360 to learn more.
Read More
Driving Drunk Can Lead to a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Driving drunk can lead to financial loss and even jail time. One Newport Beach woman became the defendant of both a civil lawsuit and five felonies after driving under the influence led to three children being orphaned. A couple in their late 20s were killed in the accident, though their three children (ranging from ages one to five) survived in the backseat.
When terrible tragedies like this occur, who files the wrongful death suit on behalf of the children? While this particular lawsuit did not disclose that information, it is often another close relative or newly appointed guardian of the orphaned children.
In a wrongful death lawsuit, the settlement encompasses far more than just medical bills, funeral costs, or damages to property. There are also the emotional damages suffered by the children who now must be raised by a legal guardian instead of their parents. Plus, those children have lost out on years of support from working parents. All of this must be considered when settling the wrongful death suit. Or it will be determined in the courtroom if a reasonable settlement cannot be reached.
If you have experienced such a tragedy in the San Diego area, where can your family turn to for compassionate help?
Experienced Wrongful Death Attorneys in Southern California
Petrov Law Firm has experienced wrongful death attorneys to help your family get what you deserve. Give us a call today at 619.344.0360 to get your case started. We can’t bring back your loved ones, but we can help you to maximize your compensation during these desperate times.
Read More
6-Year-Old Boy Recovers After Saving His Sister from a Dog
You may have heard the reports last summer of a 6-year-old boy in Cheyenne, Wyoming, who became a hero when he protected his sister from a German shepherd. In the boy’s own words, he just put himself between the dog and his sister and kept moving to keep himself in between. Unfortunately, the dog eventually attacked, biting the young boy’s face.
Fortunately, Bridger is recovering well and recently thanked doctors and nurses in a heart-warming video on the news. Just a word of caution before you go and try to find the video – Bridger’s injuries from the attack were extensive, and seeing the before and after (including 90 stitches) will be disturbing for most people.
The fact is that dog attacks occur every day, and many children don’t have a hero like young Bridger to take the bite for them. Since a child’s face is often at bite level for dogs, injuries are far more severe than when a dog attacks an adult. This leads to extensive medical bills. If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog attack, you may wonder how you will be able to pay for the mounting medical expenses. If you live in California, Petrov Law Firm can help.
Dog Bite Attorneys in San Diego
If you are in need of an attorney to help your family maximize your dog bite settlement in California, Petrov Law Firm is here for you. Get in touch with an experienced attorney today by calling 619.344.0360.
Read More
The Best Tips for ATV Safety
An all-terrain vehicle can be a great way to have some fun on the weekend, especially since you should always be on it alone anyway (if it is a single-rider ATV). That makes it great from of recreation when social distancing. However, a shocking number of accidents lead to injuries every year on ATVs. Here are the best prevention tips so you can enjoy your weekend without an incident.
- Use designated trails rather than taking off into the forest
- Ride at a safe speed
- Use an ATV that is right for your size – this is especially important for families when riding with youths
- Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and be careful with prescription medications that may make you drowsy or reduce your reaction speed
- Never take someone with you on an ATV built for one – they make two-seaters for a reason
- Don’t let kids ride without proper supervision
- Take a safe ATV riding course
- Follow the guidelines from the ATV manufacturer
- Always wear a helmet and other appropriate safety gear when riding – this may include a face shield, eye protection, sturdy shoes or boots, gloves, and long sleeves
If You Have Been Injured Riding an ATV…
Petrov Law Firm is the San Diego law office here to help when your personal injury case involves riding an ATV in California. Our lawyers are experienced, especially when it comes to dealing with insurance companies to maximize settlements. Give us a call today at 619.344.0360 to get your case started.
Read More
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.
Read More
Are Dog Bites Covered By Rental Insurance?
If you are bit by someone else’s dog, your medical expenses and other losses should be covered by that person’s homeowner’s insurance (unless you were trespassing or provoking the attack). However, more and more people are renting instead of owning the place in which they live. So if the owner of the dog has renter’s insurance, will that cover your losses? Here is what you need to know.
According to the CDC, there are more than four million dog bites that occur each year in the United States. The Insurance Information Institute provides another revealing fact. When the attack is covered by insurance, the average payout is more than $40,000. It is important to realize that only about 20% of people who are attacked by a dog require medical care. So most of the time, there are no significant losses incurred.
As far as renter’s insurance is concerned, it should cover a dog bite, just as homeowner’s insurance would. However, it is up to the owner to know what the policy covers. Some policies do not cover larger dogs (which are likely to do more damage), or they may exclude certain breeds.
Getting the Help You Need Following a Dog Attack
If the owner of the dog is liable for the attack, you may be due compensation for medical bills, missed workdays, emotional distress, and more. However, whether the owner is insured or not, you need the help of a personal injury attorney. If you live in southern California, then Petrov Law Firm can help. Call us today at 619.344.0360 to get your case started.
Read More
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.
Read More