car accident Tag

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.

What If I’m Injured in a Car Accident While Traveling?

Many people will be traveling this holiday season. Of course, safety will be the priority, particularly because of the pandemic. However, what if you end up injured in a car accident while you are in another state? Here are a few things to know.

• The laws of the state where the accident takes place are the regulations that will apply – For example, if you are injured while driving in California, you should know that it is a tort state. If you come from a no-fault state, you may not know what this means. Tort means that the insurance company of the driver who is at fault for the accident will be on the hook for all the damages.
• The personal injury suit will have to be filed in the state the accident occurred in – This also means that the statute of limitations of that state will apply. In California, the statute of limitations on cases that involve injury to a person is two years.
• You want a lawyer in the state you were injured – This will ensure that your lawyer knows the state regulations and can help you to maximize your settlement from the insurance company.

California Personal Injury Attorneys in San Diego

We hope everyone has a safe holiday. However, if you end up in a car accident in Southern California, Petrov Law Firm is here to help. Contact us today at 619.344.0360 to get started on your personal injury case right away.

3 Myths Regarding Car Accident Insurance Settlements

Car accidents often result in injuries as well as property damage. How can you be sure that you are getting a fair settlement from the auto insurance company? First of all, don’t fall for these three myths:

• Myth 1: The Insurance Company Will Offer You a Fair Settlement – Insurance companies are businesses, not philanthropists. They will offer you the bare minimum to get you to walk away, so they don’t have to pay what you really deserve. The first offer is never fair. It’s just business.
• Myth 2: I Don’t Need an Attorney – First of all, myth number one helped debunk the idea that the insurance company is on your side. If you also decide to forgo having a lawyer, then you are truly on your own and are unlikely to get a fair settlement.
• Myth 3: Any Attorney Can Help Me Get a Good Settlement – Traffic laws are always changing, so you need an attorney who is experienced with traffic law. You also want an attorney who is used to going up against insurance companies. Finally, you want a lawyer who knows the laws in your particular state since these regulations can vary greatly.

Southern California Car Accident Injury Attorneys

If you have been injured in a car accident in southern California, then you want the experience of Petrov Law Firm in your corner. Our personal injury attorneys can help you to maximize your settlement. Give us a call today at 619.344.0360 to get your case started.

Important Areas of Expertise for California Personal Injury Attorneys

When you experience an injury and it is someone else’s fault, you want help getting the compensation that you deserve. After all, compensation is usually going to come from an insurance company with an attorney whose one job is to make sure they pay out as little as possible. What are some of the more common personal injury cases in California, and why should you hire an experienced attorney?

• Slip and fall injuries – Getting your case going well before the statute of limitations is up is the first important step when it comes to a slip and fall accident. Now is the time to start gathering evidence so as to negotiate a settlement.
• Dog bites – Insurance companies payout money on a daily basis for dog bites that occur all across the country. If someone else’s dog has attacked you without provocation, you should at least receive compensation for any medical bills that you incur as a result of the attack.
• Car accidents – As more cars get back on the road, you can expect to see the number of accidents and injuries on the rise again. The COVID-19 pandemic didn’t stop people from driving recklessly, distracted, or just too fast. California is a fault state, so if it is the other driver’s fault, their insurance should be paying out.

Personal Injury Attorneys with Experience in San Diego

If you have sustained a personal injury in these or other ways, you need the help of experienced attorneys to maximize your settlement. Petrov Law Firm is here to help residents of San Diego, North County, and Chula Vista. Call 619.344.0360 to get started right away.

How to Protect Your Family from Car Accident Injuries

You can’t account for what other people on the road are going to do, so the best way to protect your family is to avoid risky behaviors when driving. Here are three situations that cause most accidents on the road.

• Driving under the influence – Whether it is alcohol or a prescription medication, driving under the influence of any substance that can dull your senses is dangerous. Also, avoid driving while drowsy because this can have similarly dangerous effects.
• Distracted driving – California has laws regarding the use of handheld devices while driving for this very reason – it is dangerous. However, it can also be distracting to smoke, put on make-up, or eat while driving. Avoid anything that can take your eyes off the road or slow down your reaction time.
• Driving too fast – This is actually what is responsible for the highest percentage of car accidents that result in serious injuries or fatalities. Driving the speed limit (or even slower if circumstances dictate it) is the best way to keep your family safe on the road.

Car Accident Injury Attorneys in Southern California

If another driver has caused an accident that has resulted in injury for you or a family member, consult the personal injury attorneys at Petrov Law Firm in San Diego. We have the experience that you want in your corner when dealing with car insurance companies to try and maximize your settlement and get what you really deserve. Call 619.344.0360 to see if you are eligible for compensation.

Dangerous Road Conditions That Lead to Motor Vehicle Accidents

Driving a car always calls for exercising proper caution. However, there are some circumstances that make it even more important to protect yourself and your passengers, even if that means driving slower than the posted speed limit. Here are a few road conditions that cause problems for many drivers.

• Construction – Road work poses extra dangers both when it comes to road conditions as well as proximity to the workers. Be sure to follow the posted road signs, which should provide you with instructions for safe driving such as a lower speed limit or lane usage restrictions.
• Inclement weather – While California is known for beautiful weather, there are still rainstorms and other conditions that may make roadways slick. Remember that wet roads mean that you will need more time to stop, so leave extra room between you and the car in front of you.
• Driving at night – There are many hazards that are presented when driving after dark. Visibility is lower, you need to be sure to shut your high beams for oncoming traffic, and there is always that pedestrian crossing the street who isn’t wearing reflective clothing. Plus, road hazards, such as potholes, may not be visible until the last moment.

San Diego’s Trusted Personal Injury Attorneys

When a person is injured in a car accident, they need help from professionals who know what compensation is due. At Petrov Law Firm, you will meet trusted attorneys who are experienced with personal injury settlements. Contact us today at 619.344.0360 to get your case started.

These Statistics Are the Reason California Is Still Telling Us to Put Down Our Phones

California has had hands-free laws in place for several years now. The restrictions are even more stringent for those under the age of 18. So why are there continued campaigns to try and get people to put their phones down while they drive? Here are some telling stats.

• In just one year, about 2.2% of drivers were busted breaking hands-free laws.
• The younger a driver is, the more likely they are to violate hands-free legislation. The same study showed that 4.9% of drivers between the ages of 18 and 24 were guilty.
• In rural areas, people are far more likely to try and get away with using a phone while driving. While there may be fewer cars, there is also often less visibility on old country roads, thereby increasing the danger.
• At least parents are driving safe. The category of drivers that had the fewest infractions in the study were those who had a passenger age 8 or younger.

During the same year that these statistics were taken, 391,000 accidents occurred as a result of distracted driving. These accidents caused numerous injuries and ended 3,450 lives. Distracted driving is a serious matter, and no one should think they are immune to having an accident, regardless of their age or where they live.

If You Have Been Hurt by a Distracted Driver

In Southern California, the personal injury attorneys at Petrov Law Firm are here to help if a distracted driver causes you harm. Give us a call today at 619.344.0360 to get your case started.

California Urges You to Put Your Phone Down and Drive

Due to the terrible effects of distracted driving, the state of California has had some public service campaigns to encourage less phone use while operating a vehicle. The current campaign is called “Put Your Phone Down. Just Drive.” and you have probably heard that mantra repeated in ads.

What are the current laws in California regarding smartphone use in a car?

• It is never permitted for someone under the age of 18 to use a smartphone while driving. Don’t spend your money on hands-free devices like a Bluetooth headset until your turn 18 because you can’t use it in the car anyway.
• If you are 18 or older, don’t pick up your phone while driving. If you are going to use your phone, it should be in a hands-free manner only. Of course, this also means no reading and responding to texts while driving. If your phone is connected to your vehicle via Bluetooth, you may be able to have the car read a text to you, and you may even be able to respond verbally. But don’t be tempted to pick up the device to make sure your dictated text was correctly formatted.

San Diego Attorneys for Car Accident Injuries

Petrov Law Firm is here to help if you have been injured by a distracted driver in a car accident. Contact us today to learn how we can help you to maximize the settlement you receive from the insurance company. Call 619.344.0360 to get your case started now.