Personal Injury Settlement 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.

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.

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.

3 Things Your Personal Injury Attorney Needs to Know

If you have been injured and are seeking compensation, there are a few things that your personal injury attorney will need to know in order to assist you. Here are the most important things to keep in mind.

• How were you injured? – There are a number of ways that you could have suffered your injury. Everything from a car accident or a dog attack to a slip and fall or medical malpractice may call for compensation, but the rules regarding each type of case vary.
• How long ago were you injured? – Unfortunately, some victims wait months or even years before seeking legal Since the statute of limitations is different for various causes of injury, you don’t want to seek a settlement after it is too late.
• Who is the responsible party? – Obviously, you can’t seek compensation if you hurt yourself, but in many cases, there is another party that is to blame for the injury. Whether it is a driver on a cell phone or a company that sold a product they knew was defective, you don’t want to go into a settlement alone or you are sure to receive a minimal offer.

The Personal Injury Attorneys You Can Trust

For trustworthy personal injury attorneys, contact Petrov Law Firm in San Diego. Our experience in helping clients receive settlements in personal injury cases can help you to maximize the compensation you receive. Before you sign anything from the offending party, call 619-344-0360 to schedule a consultation.

What You Need to Know About a Personal Injury Claim if You Have a Preexisting Condition

If you are filing a personal injury claim, you want to be straightforward about any preexisting conditions you may have, especially with your lawyer. Why do clients sometimes withhold information about preexisting issues? What effect can this have on a claim? Read on to learn about this important factor in a personal injury suit.

Why People Feel the Need to Hide a Preexisting Condition

You may think that if you reveal a preexisting condition, it will affect the amount of your settlement. For example, if you get migraines but they become far worse after your car accident, you may neglect to mention you already would get migraines before. Why? Well, you may be concerned that opposing counsel will try to limit your medical compensation because the migraines were a preexisting condition and the fact that they got worse may have had nothing to do with the accident.

Why You Should Disclose Any Preexisting Conditions or Injuries

While the above scenario could be true, imagine how bad it will look when the condition comes out (and it will) during the course of a trial or negotiations. Now it goes from something that could have a minor effect on the settlement to something that calls into question your credibility as a whole. That can have a major effect on your case.

Personal Injury Attorneys to Help You in Southern California

Petrov Law Firm is here to help you with your settlement, so please don’t hide any preexisting conditions from our personal injury attorney. While you may be concerned it will hurt your case, comparing your medical condition before and after the injury may help make your case even more clear and help you to get a better settlement. To get started on your case, call us today at 619-344-0360.

Laws that Apply When a Personal Injury Settlement Involves a Minor

If someone under the age of 18 in the state of California is involved in a personal injury settlement, there are additional regulations that do not apply in all personal injury cases. What do you need to know about and how many this affect your settlement?

In California, court supervision is required for cases involving minors. These regulations have been put in place by the state in order to ensure that children get a fair settlement. The funds will not be accessible to the child until he or she turns 18. In most cases, the funds will either be used to purchase an annuity or they will be put into a blocked account.

If an annuity is the chose form of settlement payment, funds with either be received annually starting from when the child turns 18 or they may be dispensed in lump sums at certain time periods (for example, one payment every three years or at particular birthdays until of the money is divested).

There are certain rare exceptions where the settlement is determined to be a sum of less than $5,000 where the money becomes immediately available for the minor. In even more exceptional situations, the court may allow parents to make funds available to minors before they turn 18. However, the circumstances surrounding such a situation need to be quite extraordinary.

Help in Attaining Fair Personal Injury Settlements

The courts often only provide assistance for minors seeking a settlement. Thus, it may become necessary to hire a personal injury attorney to determine if an insurance provider is offering a reasonable settlement. Petrov Law Firm will be happy to help you determine what a fair settlement should be. Contact us today at 619-344-0360.

Why Most Personal Injury Cases End Up Being Settled Out of Court

If you have suffered a personal injury and are looking to file for damages, you may recognize that this sort of thing often never reaches the courtroom. Why is that the case? There are actually a number of factors in play that relate to both sides of the suit.

Factors in Reaching a Settlement
First of all, reaching a settlement allows the defendant to avoid the situation becoming a public spectacle. Legal fees are also minimized. It is basically a way of performing damage control. It keeps a jury from awarding massive punitive damages or large pain and suffering penalties. This is especially true in cases where a jury could easily be swayed by sentiment.

However, a settlement if often good news for the plaintiff as well. First, the money is guaranteed. If the case goes to trial and the defendant wins, the plaintiff gets nothing. In a settlement, the plaintiff knows exactly what the payout will be. It also allows the plaintiff to get the money quickly as opposed a court case that may drag on for weeks or months.

As a result, it usually mutually beneficial for a settlement to be reached.

Why Seek Legal Help for Personal Injury Cases
An experienced personal injury lawyer is in the best position to get you a higher settlement amount. Plus, an experienced personal injury attorney will also know when a case should go to trial. As a result, you should never accept a settlement without discussing your legal options with an attorney. The personal injury lawyers at the Petrov Law Firm will be happy to help you weigh the pros and cons of a settlement in your case. We have the experience to help you maximize the settlement you receive.