Motorcycle Accidents

The Shocking Cost of Fatal Crashes in California

The CDC used 2013 figures to illustrate just how much fatal car accidents cost California residents every year. We’re not talking about the emotional toll that these deaths take on families. These numbers strictly represent the financial toll. The figures may prove shocking to you.

• $38 Million – This represents the medical costs left behind by patients who died in car accidents in the state of California in 2013 alone.
• $4.44 Billion – This staggering number is the amount of work loss costs incurred by these accidental deaths. Take, for example, the husband, father, and businessman who doesn’t make it home from work one evening. His family has lost perhaps decades of his income.

Of course, there is no way to calculate the impact of such tragedies in mere numbers. That’s why wrongful death plaintiffs often receive more than just medical compensation and compensation for loss of future income. Pain and suffering, as well as emotional losses, also need to be considered, and that can lead to settlements that provide well for a family during the long time of emotional healing that needs to take place following such a catastrophe.

Compassionate Lawyers for Your Wrongful Death Case in California

Petrov Law Firm has the compassionate lawyers that you want on your side during a wrongful death suit. Please remember though that time is of the essence when you have a case like this. As a result, we encourage you not to delay in calling our San Diego office at 619-344-0360.

5 Forms of Reckless Driving that Cause Car Accidents

When a car accident occurs, the priority is to care for the injured. Then it is time to assign blame. This can determine if someone gets ticketed, whose insurance is responsible for the bill, and even if a lawsuit will occur. Here are five reckless things that people do behind the wheel that lead to accidents.

1. Alcohol – Don’t drink and drive is a slogan even children know by heart, but that doesn’t stop people from getting behind the wheel after they’ve had a few.
2. Speeding – This is what is behind just about every accident on the road. Even if there are also other factors like poor road conditions or being distracted, many accidents could still be avoided if people just obeyed the speed limit.
3. Smartphones – Texting while driving is illegal in almost every state (get with the program Arizona, Missouri, and Montana), but really any smartphone use is going to distract a driver. In California, any handheld use of a smartphone is banned while driving.
4. Distractions – Besides just smartphones, there are a lot of other things people do while driving that distracts them. Everything from eating and drinking to smoking and applying makeup can lead to a motor vehicle accident.
5. Red Lights – Red means stop. It doesn’t get any clearer. Whether a person is distracted, driving too fast, or trying to “squeeze the lemon” on a yellow light that is long gone, running a red light can turn into a serious accident in a hurry.

If You Have Been Injured in a Car Accident in California

If you have been injured in a car accident in California, the personal injury attorneys at Petrov Law Firm can help you to receive the proper compensation for your losses. Before you sign anything from an insurance company accepting a settlement, give us a call at 619-344-0360. We can help you to maximize your settlement and avoid being cheated by a lowball insurance settlement.

3 Things You Can Do to Be Safe When Riding a Motorcycle After Dark

With the shortest day of the year fast approaching, we find ourselves on the roads after dark more and more. If you are a motorcycle rider, how can you protect yourself during the more dangerous after dark hours? Here are three things that could save your life.

1. Take the Best Route – During the day, feel free to take the scenic route. At night, the most important thing is visibility. You don’t get a lot of light from the single headlight on a motorcycle, so well-lit roads are the best for seeing obstacles. Well-lit areas also give you the best chance of other drivers seeing you.
2. Wear Reflective Clothing – If you are wearing all black on a black bike, other drivers are likely not to see you even on a decently lit road. Especially at night, you want to have something reflective on you and on your bike. When another driver’s lights are on you, they should be able to see you right away.
3. Ride Slow – Speeding is the most common cause of accidents for drivers of just about any type of vehicle. You should always obey the speed limit, but be sure to drive the right speed for the conditions (darkness, bad weather, etc.) even if that means going a little slower than you prefer.

Motorcycle Accident Injury Lawyers in San Diego

If you have suffered an injury in a motorcycle accident in the state of California, especially if you are in the San Diego area, contact the personal injury lawyers at Petrov Law Firm. We have the experience and know-how to ensure your settlement includes compensation for all of your injury-related loses. To learn more, call 619-344-0360 now.

Lane-Splitting Is Dangerous – These 3 Tips May Help

Lane-splitting is a controversial topic in the state of California, especially since legislation was recently passed that basically legalizes it without saying so directly. At the same time, there aren’t a lot of rules in place regarding this dangerous practice. If you choose to drive your motorcycle in this manner, here are a few tips that may help to protect you.

1. Beware of Mirrors – Car mirrors are basically your worst enemy while lane-splitting because they can suddenly swing in from either side. If a driver is stuck and traffic and wants a better view of what’s up ahead, he is unlikely to check for a lane-splitting motorist beforehand, so have to be ready to maneuver quickly.
2. Don’t Ride the Paint – This is especially true when the roads are wet. The paint gets slick first. So even when driving between cars, try to avoid riding the dashed line directly and keep to one side or the other.
3. Stick to a Lane – Adding to the danger of lane-splitting is switching between which lanes you are splitting. Try to pick a lane and stick to it so cars up ahead at least have a chance of seeing you and giving you room.

If You Have Been Injured in a Motorcycle Accident

The fact is that if you are in an accident while lane-splitting, you are not necessarily at fault since there is no particular law against it. However, you may need help in defending yourself against an insurance company that wants to pin the blame on you and refuse to payout. Petrov Law Firm can help you to seek a settlement for your injuries. We have experienced personal injury attorneys who can help you to get the law on your side. Contact us today at 619-344-0360.

4 Ways to Protect Yourself from Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents result in thousands of injuries and hundreds of deaths each year in Southern California. We would like to provide our readers with 5 helpful suggestions to keep you safe on the road this summer.

1. Practice Defensive Driving – While motorists should look out for motorcyclists, many have never ridden a motorbike and are unaware of the differences in handling and braking. To protect yourself, you have to watch out for other drivers and expect them to pull out in front of you or not see you passing.
2. Keep Your Bike in Top Condition – Any vehicle becomes dangerous if it is not kept in top working order, but even more so with a motorcycle. Be sure to keep tires properly inflated, check your lights, turn signals and horn regularly to make sure they all work, and never ride if the brakes are not functioning optimally.
3. Wear Protective Gear – No matter how confident you are in your riding ability, never get on the road without your helmet. Full-face helmets offer the best protection. Gloves, a reinforced jacket, and full-length pants can make a big difference in the outcome of an accident. You should consider wearing reflective clothing if you will be out after dark.
4. Check the Weather – Motorcycles become exponentially more dangerous in inclement weather. Always check the forecast before you leave to make sure you will arrive safely before any bad weather hits. If you do get caught out in the rain, be sure to dial everything back and leaves lots of extra braking room or find a safe place to pull off the road until the storm is over.

If You Are Injured in a Motorcycle Accident

Despite your best efforts, accidents can happen. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact Petrov Law Firm. Our personal injury attorneys can help you to receive the settlement you deserve from the insurance company to cover your medical expenses and other damages. Call 619-344-0360 to get started today.

Watch Out for Motorcyclists as California Moves Toward Legalizing Lane-Splitting

What is lane-splitting? Perhaps you’ve noticed in heavy traffic that is slow moving or stopped, motorcycles will sometimes drive on the dashed line between lanes to pass vehicles. You’ve probably seen it happen often enough that you may have already thought this was a legal maneuver. Recently, California law has acknowledged this practice for the first time, authorizing the California Highway Patrol to develop safety guidelines regarding lane-splitting. The bill does everything but plainly say the practice is legal.

What Does This Mean for Drivers?

It’s already important to look out for motorcyclists. One study performed in California revealed that nearly 6,000 motorcycle accidents occurred in a 15-month period. Interesting, about 17% of those accidents were related to lane-splitting. Now that the practice has been all but legalized, vehicle drivers need to be more conscious of this maneuver than ever.

Regardless of how you feel about the safety of the practice, its acceptance by California legislation could lead to larger settlements for motorcyclists injured while lane-splitting legally.

If You Have Been Injured While Lane-Splitting

If you are a motorcyclist who has been injured while lane-splitting legally, you may be deserving of compensation from the offending driver or from an insurance company. Whether your bike is damaged, you have mounting medical bills, or you need compensation for the pain and suffering you sustained due to the accident, Petrov Law Firm can help you to receive your due compensation. Call 619-344-0360 to get your claim started today.

Discerning the Extent of Head Trauma After a Motorcycle Accident

Signs of a Concussion or Other Head Injury

Here are four warning signs that you may have suffered a greater injury than you thought:

1. Nausea and vomiting – Granted, anxiety related to an accident can cause this condition as well, but you should see a doctor to rule out internal bleeding.
2. Sudden exhaustion – If you are struggling to stay awake immediately following an accident, that’s a bad sign. The adrenaline from the traumatic experience should have you wide awake.
3. Problems with speech – If you are suddenly experiencing difficulty coming up with the right word or people say your sentences sound like nonsense, it could be a sign of a traumatic brain injury. Concussions often cause problems with speech or language.
4. Concentration issues – If you are suddenly having trouble concentrating after the accident or you find yourself just wandering aimlessly, this could indicate head trauma.

Seeking Due Compensation After a Head Injury

Be sure to contact us at the Petrov Law Firm if you have been in a motorcycle accident in southern California. You can reach our experienced personal injury attorneys by calling 619-344-0360. We can help you receive the compensation you deserve after a head injury.

Staying Safe on a Motorcycle

As a motorcyclist, you do not have the protection of a metal frame and automatic airbags around you. Therefore, safety on the road begins with you:

-Invest in your livelihood by taking a qualified motorcycle training course. Safety experts will provide you with hands-on instruction to help you avoid accidents.
-Wear protective equipment when riding. Helmets save lives so be sure to pick one that provides optimum protection. Motorcycle riding clothes are specially designed to help break your tumbles and bumps and act as a tough outer layer. Having brightly colored pieces also does not hurt. This gets others to notice you on the road as a good number of accidents occur due to drivers not seeing or noticing the motorcyclist. Being properly equipped to ride can be the difference between life and death.

On the road, there are many objects, both moving and static, that can inflict severe harm on you should you collide with them:

-Assume you are invisible. The unfortunate reality is that most vehicle drivers do not always pay attention or notice motorcyclists sharing the road with them. Use defensive driving techniques and keep a safe distance away from drivers who seem distracted (whether it be with other passengers, on the phone, or listening to loud music).

-Avoid driving in others’ blind spots.
-At a red traffic light or stop sign, pull to one side of the lane to avoid being accidentally rear-ended by the unaware motorist coming from behind.
-Proceed through intersections with caution and if possible, ride alongside a large vehicle for cover.
-Always have an escape route to either side should other drivers behave unpredictably.

There are many ways to stay safe on the road as a motorcyclist. Of course, mastering safe driving techniques comes with experience. Your life is more valuable than your bike so if you come across a situation where your bike can act as a buffer and you can safely get away on foot, do so without hesitation.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident, contact a personal injury lawyer and receive advice on how to proceed. Motorcyclists tend to sustain severe injuries when they get into an accident so it is important to seek legal counsel to ensure all dimensions of the case are addressed and taken care of.

In An Accident with a Motorcyclist? Hire a Lawyer!

Motorcyclists know their reputation and they are easily frustrated by other drivers on the road. Because of this on-going contentiousness with other drivers, motorcyclists are quick to turn to a lawyer when involved in a car accident. Even when motorcyclists are clearly at fault, they tend to hire lawyers after any accident — they know law enforcement agencies have a tendency to side with the vehicle drivers. The motorcyclists want to ensure there is no favoritism when assigning blame for damages.

Knowing and understanding motorcycle driving laws is a special skill. Not all insurance adjusters, police officers, and judges have a full grasp of those specific laws. You will need a lawyer to make sure any claims about the accident conform to the existing laws about motorcycle behavior.