Personal Injury Lawyer Scottsdale, AZ
A Scottsdale Personal Injury Attorney Who Gets Results
If you’ve been injured through little or no fault of your own, it is important for you to consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer. Whether you’ve been hurt on the job, involved in a motor vehicle accident, slipped and fallen on someone else’s property, or been injured by a defective product, the dedicated legal team at Yearin Law Office can help.
Getting into a car accident or sustaining injuries in another type of accident can render you unable to do the normal things you do every day, like going to work or school, completing yard work and housework, caring for children, cooking, etc. If you have sustained injuries because of another party’s negligence, it is important to take action in order to safeguard your rights. Attorney Donald G. Yearin has been in practice for more than 25 years, and has secured more than $40 million for his clients. He can help you too.
Working With an Attorney on Your Personal Injury Case
Not all accidents result in catastrophic injuries. But some seemingly mild injuries can result in long-term problems that require treatment and therapy. For example, if you hit your head in a car accident, you may not notice symptoms of having a concussion at first. But symptoms may develop that require you to go to therapy or a doctor.
Even if you do not think you need to see a doctor following your accident, attend all your appointments. Continue to go to all your medical and therapy appointments until the recommended course of treatment concludes. This can help you maintain a record of your healing and recovery process, as well as ensure you receive treatment for symptoms that occur later on.
Our team will need to gather additional documentation to support your case as well. When you work with our firm’s trusted Scottsdale personal injury lawyer, you likely want to resolve your case as efficiently as possible. Working in partnership with your lawyer can help you move your case forward so that you can increase your chances of receiving fair and proper compensation.
Table Of Contents
- A Scottsdale Personal Injury Attorney Who Gets Results
- Personal Injury Law Compensation
- Reasons To Consult A Personal Injury Attorney
- Personal Injury Video
- Scottsdale Personal Injury Law Infographic
- Five Myths About Personal Injury Law
- Factors To Consider When Filing A Personal Injury Lawsuit
- Scottsdale Personal Injury Law Statistics
- Communicating with Insurance Companies After a Personal Injury
- Scottsdale Personal Injury Law FAQs
- Arizona Personal Injury Laws
- Yearin Law Office – Scottsdale Personal Injury Law Firm
Personal Injury Law Compensation
In typical personal injury lawsuits, two types of damages may be awarded: compensatory damages and, in rare cases, punitive damages. Each state has handled how these are dictated, and our firm can help you understand these rights.
Compensatory damages are meant to compensate a victim for the injuries that they have suffered as a result of another’s negligence or intentional conduct. To calculate these damages, a monetary value is assigned to the physical harm, property loss as a result of the injury, and more. This monetary value can be actual or it may be estimated. Actual losses include medical bills, lost wages, or earned sick or vacation time that had to be used by the victim for recovery.
Indirect victims of personal injury may also have a legal claim for compensation. Spouses, for example, can potentially file a suit to recoup monies for lost affection or loss of an injured spouse’s contributions to the household.
Punitive damages differ from compensatory damages, as punitive damages are awarded to punish the perpetrator of the personal injury and not compensate the victim of the injury. These types of damages are not awarded in every personal injury case. There are a lot of factors that go into determining what amount of punitive damages the plaintiff of a personal injury lawsuit should ask for, and having competent representation with an experienced and focused attorney is just one thing a victim of personal injury can do to maximize this compensation opportunity, when available and appropriate.
Reasons To Consult A Personal Injury Attorney
Our firm’s knowledgeable attorney can work to get you the maximum compensation possible for your injuries. A few reasons why you are well-advised to consult with a Scottsdale, Arizona personal injury lawyer in the wake of sustaining harm caused by another party include:
- Increase Your Chances of Winning
Even what seems like a cut-and-dried personal injury case may require capable legal support. If you don’t have the right legal team to file and craft your lawsuit, you might lose your case. The more complicated your lawsuit is, the more you need a seasoned attorney on your side. Our personal injury attorney will strive to increase your chances of obtaining a favorable result.
- Increase Settlement Amount
Even if you feel as if your case will stand up to scrutiny by the other party’s insurance company and attorneys, you can still benefit from hiring a Scottsdale, AZ personal injury attorney. The lawyers and insurance companies on the other side have one thing in mind: saving themselves money. Our firm understands the tactics that the defense will use, and can fight to get you the settlement amount that you deserve.
- Minimize Stress
Many people find that it’s wise to hire a personal injury lawyer so that they can focus their attention on recovering from their injuries. Personal injury cases are often stressful, and without accomplished legal representation, you’ll be left to handle it all alone. It is your job to focus on getting rest and recovering from your injury. Let us handle the other details involved with the legal end of things.
In this video, our Scottsdale personal injury attorney Don Yearin discusses different types of personal injury cases he helps with.
Scottsdale Personal Injury Law Infographic
Five Myths About Personal Injury Law
Personal injury law covers a wide array of circumstances. Car accidents are probably the most common, but they’re far from the only personal injury cases your Yearin Law Office handles. With all the personal injuries scenarios that occur, there are bound to be myths and misconceptions. The following are among the most pervasive.
Myth: I Have A Pre-Existing Condition So I Can’t Claim Damages
Even if you have a pre-existing condition, you can still claim damages if injury caused new kinds of harm or exacerbated your condition. It may be a fight getting the insurance companies to see things your way, though. Thankfully, our team help you get the medical records you need to navigate your claim successfully.
Myth: I Was Partly at Fault, So I Can’t Claim Damages
In some states, that may be true. Arizona is a “pure comparative fault” car accident state. That means that even if you were 90% responsible for your injury, you can still recover 10% of the damages you’d otherwise be entitled to. Our firm’s personal injury lawyer can walk you through how your unique circumstances may affect the strength of your claim.
Myth: I Have To Tell My Insurance Company Everything
You’re most likely required by your insurance company to report any accident to them. However, that doesn’t mean you have to tell them everything. In fact, you want to tell them as little as possible. You were in an accident. You suffered injuries. Your car was towed away. End of discussion. They may ask you to make a recorded statement; decline their invitation until after you speak with our team.
Myth: I’ll Have to Go to Court If I File A Lawsuit
The vast majority of the time, personal injury lawsuits are settled well before they would ever be heard in open court. Our team can negotiate with the other party’s insurance company in the hopes of obtaining a fair settlement for you. Ideally, one that covers your medical bills, future medical expenses, lost wages, future lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Myth: Car Accidents Are The Only Kind Of Personal Injury Scenario You Can Sue For
Car accidents make up a fair amount of personal injury cases. However, they’re far from the only cause of personal injury lawsuits. Some others include:
- Medical Malpractice
- Workplace Injury
- Dog Bites
- Slip And Falls
- Wrongful Death
- Premises Liability
- Product Liability
Factors To Consider When Filing A Personal Injury Lawsuit
When you are injured due to another party’s negligence or recklessness, Arizona law allows you to pursue damages against that party for the losses your injuries have caused you. The at-fault party may be an individual, a property owner, a business, or even a government entity, depending on the circumstances of the accident. In some cases, there may even be more than one liable party named in your lawsuit. There are many factors that can affect your lawsuit, which is why it is important to speak to an experienced Scottsdale personal injury lawyer about your case.
- Preserving Evidence
It is critical to any personal injury case to preserve as much evidence as possible. Without evidence, you may not be able to prove the other party’s liability. The other party may even intentionally “lose” or destroy evidence. This is why having a personal injury lawyer representing you right away is so important. Our team knows the legal steps to take to ensure any evidence is preserved.
- Time To File
Arizona, just like all other states, only allows a certain amount of time to file your claim. This is referred to as the statute of limitations. Once that time has expired, you will lose the option to sue the party who was responsible for your injuries. Arizona law sets that time at two years. In most cases, the clock starts ticking the day of the accident that caused the injury, however, there are some exceptions. Our team will be able to determine what the statute of limitations is in your case.
- Comparative Negligence
Arizona is a comparative negligence state. This means that the victim can still recover a percentage of damages even if it is determined that they shared some portion of liability for the accident. For example, if one driver was traveling over the speed limit when another driver ran a stop sign and crashed into them, the driver who was speeding may be legally deemed to share a percentage of the fault in the crash. That percentage would then be deducted from the final amount awarded to them in a personal injury lawsuit.
- Settlements
The majority of personal injury lawsuits never go to trial. Instead, negotiations take place between the injured party and the at-fault party (usually their insurance company) to come up with an agreed-upon settlement amount and avoid a jury trial. Unfortunately, insurance companies take advantage of victims who do not have legal representation and will often offer settlement amounts far less than the victim deserves. Having a skilled attorney representing you in these negotiations sends a message to the insurance company that their usual tactics won’t work, and they need to come up with a fair and just settlement amount.
Scottsdale Personal Injury Law Statistics
According to the National Floor Safety Institute, 87% of all fractures for those over the age of 65 occur due to falls. When patients are checked in to a nursing home for the first time, 40% of the time the reason provided is due to a recent fall. Slip and falls can have a devastating impact on the elderly population. Due to weakened bones and less resilient bodies, older adults are more susceptible to fractures, head injuries, and other serious health consequences. Recovery can be incredibly lengthy and costly. Thankfully, our team knows how to hold negligent parties accountable for fall-related harm.
Communicating with Insurance Companies After a Personal Injury
When you decide to pursue a personal injury claim, your case will be assigned an insurance adjuster. This person is not working for you, but rather for the company. That said, they might tell you that they are ready and willing to work with you. The adjuster may be friendly, supportive, and empathetic to your situation. They may tell you how they want to resolve your claim in a timely manner, so you can move forward in life. However, their ultimate goal is to settle for the least amount possible. They are very good at doing this because they are rewarded for their performance. In other words, they may be offered a bonus or promotion for settling claims for the least amount possible – this could very well include your own case. Because insurance adjusters are well known for their clever tactics and convincing language, seeking legal guidance before speaking with them is wise.
Insurance Adjustors Are Not Your Friends
It is the duty of an insurance adjuster to turn a profit for their employer. As they work towards this goal, they might tell you not to worry. Or, that everything will be handled and you don’t need a lawyer. It should be said that in truly straightforward cases that involve limited, minor injuries or damages, you very well might not need a legal advocate. However, any scenario that is complex, resulted in moderate or severe injuries, and/or involves a significant amount of losses, should be overseen by a qualified lawyer.
At some point, you might be asked to provide a statement about what happened. Should you agree, and lack preparation, you could very well be lured into saying something that will be used against you. It is generally recommended that you avoid giving a recorded statement, or signing something without a lawyer at your side. This is because it is too easy to be manipulated by an adjuster. Speak with a lawyer first in order to better protect your rights.
Your Claim May Be Denied
Even though your claim might have significant merit, it could be denied at first. This is one of the most common strategies used on a claimant. The reason for this is that the adjuster is hoping that you will get discouraged and drop the case. In addition to this, you might be told:
- You are at fault
- You are partially to blame
- There is no evidence to support what happened
- Your injuries are a result of previous injuries
- You failed to get medical treatment in a timely manner
- The alleged defendant has done nothing wrong
Know that these statements are common and should not discourage you. An insurance adjuster can say just about anything they want. If you are hearing statements like these, our team can help to clarify what is actually true.
Your First Settlement Offer May Be Low
If your claim is not denied, you might be offered a lowball settlement. Usually, this won’t cover even a fraction of your losses. As you are offered this, you may be told that:
- It is the best deal available
- If you don’t accept you might risk everything
- It’s a very fair deal
- Anything else is beyond their authority
- They will fight your case and could win
This is all meant to discourage you. The more desperate you sound, the more they may try to use these tactics against you. It is advisable to consult a lawyer for help, guidance, and support before accepting a settlement for anything but the most minor of accidents.
Scottsdale Personal Injury Law FAQs
Who can file a personal injury lawsuit?
If you retain a personal injury lawyer, the lawyer can file a lawsuit on your behalf. If the victim is deceased or the parent is mentally incompetent the lawsuit is going to be brought up by a family member or legal guardian. Others who are directly harmed by the personal injury may also have a cause of action.
Can I file a personal injury lawsuit at any time?
No. There is a statute of limitations on filing for personal injury lawsuits. If your personal injury case is filed after the limit’s statute has expired it is very likely that the lawsuit be dismissed and you will have no recourse or method for compensation.
Is there a typical amount of compensation I can expect to get?
We understand that when you are recovering from a personal injury you are likely wondering what it will take to get the compensation you deserve and want to know how much you will get. Every personal injury claim is going to be unique and different even if it has the same basic components. Someone else who was in a similar car accident as you were or who had a similar slip and fall accident may get more or less depending on other circumstances surrounding their accident. We will not be able to give you an exact answer when it comes to how much you will get because it could be an incorrect number and it may be exaggerated.
What is your courtroom experience?
It’s important that you are not afraid to ask your personal injury attorney what their courtroom experience is. With personal injuries, most people do not realize that not all cases go to a courtroom. In fact, many times clients are surprised to learn that they can settle outside of court (which makes the process less complicated and quicker). However, in the event that you do need to go to court, feel free to speak with your attorney about what kind of courtroom experience they have had, especially with similar cases. You’ll want to know that you have an attorney who can be aggressive in court when it comes to speaking about what you are owed but also someone who knows a good settlement offer that may eliminate a need to go to court.
Arizona Personal Injury Laws
Personal Injury Laws In Arizona
In the event of a personal injury resulting from an accident, a maelstrom of challenges can spiral, affecting both the physical and emotional spheres of the victims. The legal ramifications that emerge are no less intricate, enveloped in a myriad of specific statutes and rules governed by the state of Arizona. To traverse this complicated terrain, enlisting a Scottsdale personal injury lawyer brings the indispensable advantage of navigating through the legalities with a robust and experienced ally by your side.
Insight Into Arizona’s Injury Statutes
Arizona’s law encompasses several particular statutes that are pertinent to personal injury cases, each stipulating guidelines and protocols that govern how claims and compensation are handled. A fundamental aspect revolves around the concept of “negligence,” where the injured party aims to establish that the other party’s carelessness led to their mishap. Additionally, Arizona utilizes a “pure comparative fault” system. This implies that an individual can still recover damages even if they are partly to blame for their injuries, albeit reduced by their percentage of fault. Partnering with a knowledgeable attorney can help you navigate these laws effectively, optimizing the potential for a fair and just compensation.
Stringent Timelines And The Statute Of Limitations
Arizona enforces a strict timeframe within which personal injury claims must be filed, known as the statute of limitations. Typically, an individual has two years from the date of the injury to initiate a lawsuit. This window might appear substantial, yet the myriad tasks such as evidence collection, witness identification, and case development demand a significant portion of this timeframe. Early engagement with an attorney ensures a meticulous and timely build-up of your case, safeguarding your rights and compliance with state laws.
Embark On Your Journey Towards Recovery With Confidence
Confronting the aftermath of a personal injury can indeed be a taxing ordeal, enveloping you in a blend of emotional and physical recovery, all amidst a sea of legal complexities. Choosing to ally with a seasoned legal professional helps to ensure that your path toward healing is neither hindered nor alone. Begin your journey towards recovery and justice with a complimentary, obligation-free consultation with our adept team. Reach out to us today, and we an navigate through your options and the forthcoming legal pathways together, allowing you to truly benefit from experienced legal counsel and genuine support.
Yearin Law Office – Scottsdale Personal Injury Law Firm
8961 E. Bell Road, Suite 201 A
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Scottsdale Personal Injury Lawyer Google Review
“Was extremely pleased working with Yearin Law Office. Don Yearin has a high personal sense of integrity. The settlement of my personal Injury case unfolded timely and as expected. I recommend Don Yearin to anyone in need of legal representation for a personal injury case.”
Terry Floyd
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
Yearin Law Office fiercely represents clients in lawsuits, securing successful judgments against negligent motor vehicle operators, automobile and tire manufacturers, consumer product and services companies, owners of buildings and public facilities, and healthcare organizations. The legal team at Yearin Law Office wants to help you get the most out of your personal injury case. Reach out to schedule a consultation or case review with our Scottsdale personal injury lawyer today.