Personal Injury
Auto Accidents
Marin County Auto Accident Lawyer
If you have been in car, truck or motorcycle accident, The Law Offices of Craig Dykman can help. We provide professional legal services for auto accident victims and help you understand your legal rights and responsibilities. We know that an auto accident can be a traumatic experience and work on your behalf to provide financial relief and peace of mind.
Below you’ll find some helpful suggestions that can save you a significant amount of time and money if you've been in an auto accident.
Important Things to do after an Auto Accident
There are a few critical things to keep in mind if you have been in an auto accident:
Get medical attention
Don’t admit fault
Follow through with medical treatments
Do not answer questions from other side’s insurance company or lawyer
Do not sign any forms without approval from your attorney
Do not settle the case without knowing all expenses
Keep copies of all records
Doing or not doing these things could make or break your auto accident case.
Collect Information after an Auto Accident
It’s important to collect some information immediately after an auto accident to ensure that you get the best legal defense. Makes sure to obtain:
Driver information – name, license number, insurance company, policy number
Photographs – of your damage and injuries
Police report
Witness information – name, address, phone number
Keep Records after an Auto Accident
Keep a record of and collect the following:
Medical expenses
Lost work time
Lost school time
Photographs of injuries
Witness statements
Car repair estimates
Out of pocket expenses
Keeping a record of these things will allow the court to determine the cost of your auto accident.
Marin County Auto Accident Attorneys
If you have been in an auto accident, the Law Offices of Craig Dykman can help. We are experienced and professional auto accident attorneys. We will ensure you receive the best possible legal defense and are justly compensated for your injuries.
Give us a call today at (415) 454-8545 for auto accident legal services in Marin.
Slip and Fall
Marin County Slip and Fall Lawyer
The Law Offices of Craig Dykman provides professional legal defense for slip and fall victims in Marin County. We seek to educate our Marin clients. We’ve provided you with information on slip and fall claims so that you understand your legal rights and responsibilities.
What is a Slip and Fall?
A slip and fall is a claim or case for when a person slips (or trips) and falls. People can slip and fall on a dangerous floor, flight of stairs or rough patch of ground. The slip and fall attorney is responsible for proving that the property owner was negligent by allowing some dangerous condition to exist and that the claimant was not at fault.
Property owners need to be careful in keeping up their property. Cases often hinge on whether or not a property owner was careful and took precautions to prevent slipping and falling and whether you were careless in not avoiding the thing that you fell over.
Is the Property Owner Liable?
One of the following must be true in order for the property owner to be liable and for you to have a slip and fall claim.
The owner of the premises or an employee must have caused the spill, worn or torn spot, or other slippery or dangerous surface or item to be underfoot.
Must have known the slippery or dangerous material or object was underfoot and did nothing about it.
Should have known the slippery or dangerous material was on the floor, stair, or ground because a “reasonable” person taking care of the property would have discovered and removed or repaired it.
The third situation is the most common in slip and fall cases but it is the most difficult to prove because of the words “should have”. Determining liability in these cases is often determined by common sense. Judges and juries decide how careful the property owner was based on if they took reasonable steps to prevent slip and fall accidents.
Reasonable Precautions
A property owner must make regular and thorough efforts to keep their property safe and clean. There are questions that the slip and fall victim and their attorney can ask to determine if the property owner took reasonable precautions.
If you tripped over or slipped on an object someone had placed or left on the floor or ground, was there a legitimate reason for that object to be there?
Was there a safer place for the object in question, or could it have been placed in a safe manner without greatly inconveniencing the property owner or operator?
Could a barrier or a warning have been placed to prevent slip and falls?
Did broken or poor lighting contribute to the accident?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, there is a good chance that the property owner did not take reasonable precautions to prevent slip and fall accidents.
Marin County Slip and Fall Attorney
The Law Offices of Craig Dykman provide professional and courteous legal defense services for slip and fall victims. If you have been in a slip and fall accident and believe there was negligence on the part of the property owner, please let us help you.
Call the Law Offices of Craig Dykman at (415) 454-8545 or craig@dykmanlaw.com
Pubic Entity
Marin County Public Entity Lawyer
The Dykman Law Firm provides legal services to those who have had accidents involving public entities. If you have been injured by a public employee, or have had an accident such as a slip and fall on public property, we can help you. We specialize in professional legal representation for our public entity accident clients in the San Francisco Bay Area.
What is a Public Entity?
A public entity is defined as:
any State or local government.
any department, agency, special purpose district, or other instrumentality of a State or States or local government.
For personal injury a public entity accident is an accident on public property or an accident caused by a public employee.
Do I Have a Public Entity Accident Claim?
Cases need to be determined whether the accident was caused by the negligence of the public entity’s employees or by the presence of a dangerous condition on public property. If there was negligence, we can bring a case against the public entity. If you had a slip and fall accident on public property, please take a look at our slip and fall section to see what constitutes negligence.
You may be eligible for reimbursement:
medical bills
pain and suffering
lost wages
any other types of harm
When Should I Make My Claim?
In California, someone who has had a public entity accident should submit their claim to that entity within 6 months of the accident. Some exceptions may be made and it is possible to petition to make a late claim, but extensions on the 6 month window are not granted automatically. It’s much easier to contact an experienced personal injury attorney right after you have had an accident. Failure to take action within the 6 month window can be viewed by the courts as “inexcusable neglect” by the injured party and significantly reduces their chances of receiving compensation from the public entity.
Hire a Personal Injury Attorney Experienced in Public Entity Cases
If you want to have the best chance of receiving just compensation for damages, you need to hire a personal injury attorney who is experienced in handling public entity cases. If you believe you have a claim, call us as soon as possible. We will immediately begin investigating your case and collect important evidence before it is lost. We have experience with every type of public entity case. We will ensure that you are justly compensated for damages. If you have been in an accident involving a public entity, call the Law Offices of Craig Dykman. We are personal injury attorneys serving the San Francisco Bay Area.
Wrongful Death
As experienced wrongful death lawyers, we have tools to determine how an accident happened, and why. While no amount of money will ease the pain of losing a loved one, we believe that when we hold wrongdoers accountable, we help ensure that this same type of tragedy does not happen again to another family. The law provides that when a person is killed in an accident caused by the negligence of another, the decedent’s parents, spouse and children are granted the right to sue to recover damages, for economic losses and for mental anguish.
Wrongful Death Claim
Any wrongful death “beneficiary” can bring the wrongful death claim on behalf of the other beneficiaries. A wrongful death claim does not require that an estate be probated, and the person bringing the suit does not have to be an administrator of the estate or a beneficiary of a will.
Survival Claim
Related to, but separate from, the wrongful death claim is a “survival claim.” A survival claim is a claim that belongs to the estate of the decedent and is for medical expenses and damages such as pain and suffering that a person suffered prior to their death.
If your loved one died as the result of another’s negligence, our wrongful death lawyers will provide compassionate and experienced legal counsel for you to help you through your time of need and get you the compensation you deserve. Call today and you will be able to immediately speak with one of our experienced wrongful death attorneys. Call now and get your questions answered.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident regardless of where you live, we will be happy to evaluate your potential case through a free consultation.
What are Common Causes of Wrongful Death?
Some common causes of wrongful death include:
Auto accidents
Defective products
Medical malpractice
Animal attacks
Construction accidents
Other workplace accidents
Intentional acts or assaults
Getting Wrongful Death Compensation
In order to obtain compensation for wrongful death, those bringing the claim must prove that the fatality was caused by another person or party’s negligence or malpractice. If the party filing the claim can show proof of fault then damages will be awarded. The best way to determine whether you have a legitimate wrongful death claim is to contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible to evaluate your claim and inform you of your rights.
Hire an Experienced Wrongful Death Attorney
If you believe you have a wrongful death claim then you need to hire an experienced attorney, please reach out to our office today. Wrongful death attorneys understand the law, statues of limitations for filing a claim and how to investigate wrongful death cases.
Marin County Wrongful Death Attorneys
If you have a loved one who has died due to the negligence of another, we are here to help. The Dykman Law Firm has been handling wrongful death cases for 25 years. We understand the pain that is caused by the loss of a loved one and treat our clients with compassion and care. If you need to hire an attorney for a wrongful death claim, we will help you every step of the way.
Call the Law Offices of Craig Dykman today at (415) 454-8545 or craig@dykmanlaw.com
Dog Mauling
Marin County Dog Bite Lawyer
If you or someone close to you has been the victim of a dog bite, you need an experienced attorney. If the dog bite was caused by someone else’s negligence, the victim can make a claim to receive just compensation. The Dykman Law Firm is the Bay Area’s provider of professional legal representation for dog bite victims. Our firm has the necessary resources to handle every aspect of a dog bite case. We advocate for our clients and work aggressively to ensure you are awarded the maximum compensation for dog bite damages. We seek to educate our dog bite clients and have provided information below so you can know what to do if you or a loved one is bitten.
What Do You Do After a Dog Bite?
A dog bite can be a traumatic experience, but there are some things you should keep in mind to protect yourself and ensure that you will be compensated for damages.
What to do:
Seek immediate medical attention
Identify the dog that bit you
Report the dog attack
Have photos taken of injuries
Contact a dog bite lawyer
Do not give information to an insurance company or sign documents without a lawyer
Get medical attention immediately as dog bites pose a serious risk for infection. Identify the dog who attacked you and find out how the owner can be located. Next, report the attack to animal control or the police. Take photos of the injuries as soon as possible.
Most importantly, do not give any information to the dog owner’s insurance company or sign any documents without first notifying your lawyer. The insurance company’s only interest is in protecting themselves from claims. Any information you give them can and will be used against you. Have legal council before trying to deal with the insurance company yourself.
Am I Eligible for Compensation?
There are a few defenses that a dog owner’s attorneys may use in dog bite cases that would make the owner not liable for damages and prevent you from getting compensation.
Defenses from liability include:
Trespassing
Injury not the result of a dog bite
Assumption of risk
Under California law the dog bite owner is liable only when a person is in a public place or lawfully in a private place. In addition the dog owner is only liable for injuries that are a result of the dog bite. Finally if the dog bite victim provoked the dog or if someone like a veterinarian assumed possession of the dog, then the dog owner can defend themselves saying the person assumed the risk of a dog bite. These are all valid defenses that could prevent you from receiving compensation.
What Can I Be Compensated For?
Compensation includes:
Medical bills
Pain and suffering
Loss of wages
Reduced earning capacity
Punitive damages
Medical monitoring
Lifestyle changes
Lifetime care and medical costs (for severe cases)
Experienced Dog Bite Lawyers in Marin County
The Law Offices of Craig Dykman are expert dog bite lawyers serving our clients in the San Francisco Bay Area. We have over 25 years of personal injury law experience and bring that level of knowledge to all of our dog bite injury clients.
Call the Law Offices of Craig Dykman today at (415) 454-8545 or craig@dykmanlaw.com
