Tempe Personal Injury Lawyer

An unexpected injury can turn your entire world upside down. If someone else’s carelessness caused your injury, you have the legal right to hold them accountable. Our Tempe, AZ personal injury lawyer can help you pursue the compensation you need to get your life and future goals back on track. At the Yearin Law Office, we have over 30 years of experience representing injured individuals and their loved ones across Arizona. We handle every case with compassion and genuine dedication. Call or message us today to set up your free case evaluation.

Personal Injury Lawyer Tempe, AZ

Personal injury law covers a wide range of accidents and circumstances. Our Tempe personal injury lawyer has represented clients in cases involving car and motorcycle accidents, truck collisions, bicycle crashes, pedestrian accidents, slip and falls, dog bites, nursing home abuse, and wrongful death claims. We also take on cases involving severe conditions like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and catastrophic burns.

It’s difficult to understand just how life-changing an injury can be until you’re in the situation yourself. Between medical bills, missed time from work, and the emotional toll of recovery, the stress of your new normal can feel overwhelming—no matter how seemingly minor or catastrophic your injury may be. When you work with our firm, you’ll get an advocate who is truly invested in your recovery. We take the time to understand your situation, gather detailed evidence, and collaborate with experts who can help us present a strong claim for the maximum compensation you deserve.

Accidents and medical conditions have different impacts on different people. Our Arizona attorney takes a personalized approach, from your first consultation to your final verdict. We’ll take the time to get to know you so we can fully understand just how your injury has reshaped your everyday life. We’ll handle all the legal details and negotiations and keep you completely informed throughout the whole process, because we want you to feel confident and supported every step of the way.

Personal Injury Representation Backed By Experience

The outcome of a personal injury claim can have lasting effects on your health and your financial stability, so don’t trust your case with just anyone. Partnering with an experienced attorney can make all the difference. At the Yearin Law Office:

• Our lead attorney Don G. Yearin earned his J.D. from the University of Arizona College of Law in 1990 and has spent more than three decades fighting for the rights of injury victims throughout Arizona.
• Our dedication to client success has earned him recognition from ThreeBestRated as one of the Top Three Personal Injury Attorneys in Scottsdale, Arizona, along with numerous other awards and honors.
• We have a history of delivering results for our clients, including a $1,000,000 settlement for a serious foot injury caused by a trucking accident.
• We’ve also received multiple positive client testimonials, including this one from Dana Southworth: “As a car accident victim, it was nice to have a lawyer who was professional, took charge, and respected my need to stay informed. Mr. Yearin’s experience and skill with the insurance industry prevented me from being taken advantage of. I highly recommend the Yearin Law Office for anyone needing representation in a personal injury case.”

If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident, don’t hesitate to get the help you need. Contact our Tempe personal injury lawyer at the Yearin Law Office today to schedule a free consultation. Your recovery begins here.

Our Tempe, AZ personal injury lawyer at Yearin Law Office has been representing injured Arizonans since 1991. Founder Don Yearin is an Arizona native, a graduate of the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, and a litigator with more than three decades of personal injury work behind him. We fight for people hurt through no fault of their own, and we don’t charge anything unless we recover for you. Contact us for a free consultation.

Why Choose Yearin Law Office for Personal Injury in Tempe, AZ?

30 Years of Arizona Personal Injury Litigation

Don Yearin graduated from the University of Arizona College of Law in 1990 and has been practicing personal injury law in Arizona since 1991. He is admitted to the Arizona Bar and to the U.S. District Court, District of Arizona. An active member of the State Bar of Arizona, the Arizona Trial Lawyers Association, and the Maricopa County Bar Association, Don brings institutional knowledge of how personal injury cases move through Maricopa County courts.

His credentials have drawn consistent recognition from independent legal rating organizations. Martindale-Hubbell has awarded him the AV Preeminent Rating, its highest possible distinction for both ethical standards and legal ability. The National Trial Lawyers has named him a Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Attorney every year from 2021 through 2024. AVVO has rated him Top Rated for multiple consecutive years. These aren’t self-reported honors. They reflect peer and client review over a long career.

Thirty years in Arizona personal injury law means Don understands how insurers negotiate locally, what arguments carry weight in Maricopa County, and where the typical pressure points are when a case is disputed.

A Record Worth Looking At

Our firm has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients across Arizona. A $23,000,000 verdict against a commercial trucking company involving a wrongful death and a brain injury. A $7,500,000 judgment for a client who suffered a leg amputation. A $7,200,000 collected judgment for a client left quadriplegic following a commercial truck crash. A $5,000,000 result against a tire retailer. And a trial verdict of $598,790 obtained as recently as September 2025 for a client with herniated neck and back injuries after an insurer disputed the claim entirely.

No lawyer can promise specific results. But a history like this reflects what it looks like when a firm takes difficult cases seriously and sees them through.

No Fee Unless We Win

No upfront cost. No hourly billing. Our fee is a percentage of what we recover on your behalf. If we don’t recover, you owe us nothing. That structure exists for a reason. Injured people shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket to access qualified legal representation. We have the experience, in-depth legal knowledge, and firm resources that people look for in  a personal injury lawyer.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I can’t recommend Don Yearin highly enough. After my accident, I struggled to navigate the process of dealing with the insurance companies. Don was very patient, thoroughly explained everything to me and made the whole traumatic experience as seamless as possible. I am extremely pleased with his work. Thank you Don!”

— Robin Lynne 

Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.

Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Tempe

We handle a broad range of injury claims throughout Tempe and Maricopa County. The facts of each accident, the severity of the injuries, and the parties responsible all shape how a case is approached. Here’s what we work on.

• Car accidents. Motor vehicle crashes are the most common personal injury claim in Arizona. We handle rear-end collisions, intersection crashes, DUI-related accidents, and distracted driving cases, including those involving traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage.
• Truck accidents. These cases involve federal safety regulations, multiple potentially liable parties, and carrier insurance teams that move fast to protect their client. Evidence in commercial vehicle crashes has to be secured quickly.
• Motorcycle accidents. Riders face some of the highest injury risk on Arizona roads. We handle claims against drivers who failed to yield, cut off a rider, or caused a crash through distraction or impairment.
• Slip and fall accidents. Property owners in Arizona carry a legal duty to maintain safe conditions. When a hazard causes injury, that duty is enforceable. Slip and fall injuries often carry consequences that go well beyond what’s obvious at the scene.
• Dog bites. Arizona imposes strict liability on dog owners regardless of the animal’s prior history. Victims have the right to pursue full compensation for physical injuries, medical costs, and psychological harm.
• Wrongful death. When negligence causes a fatality, surviving family members may have claims for funeral costs, lost financial support, loss of companionship, and more. These cases demand careful, skilled handling from the outset.
• Nursing home abuse and neglect. Elderly and dependent residents are legally protected from harm. When care facilities fall short, and someone is injured, we hold them accountable.
• Bicycle accidents. Tempe’s campus environment and active cycling culture mean these collisions happen regularly and often seriously.

Arizona Legal Requirements for Personal Injury Cases

Statute of Limitations: A.R.S. Section 12-542

Most injured Arizonans have two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. That’s the general rule under Arizona’s statute of limitations. Miss it, and the right to recover is almost always gone permanently. There are exceptions for minors and for claims against government entities, but those come with their own rules and often shorter windows.

Claims against a government body in Arizona require a notice of claim filed within 180 days under A.R.S. Section 12-821.01. That deadline does not bend.

Pure Comparative Fault: A.R.S. Section 12-2505

Arizona uses a pure comparative fault system. Your recovery is reduced in proportion to your share of responsibility for the accident. But you are not barred from recovery even if you were mostly at fault. A plaintiff found 60% responsible in a $100,000 case still recovers $40,000.

The practical implication: insurers assign inflated fault percentages to injured claimants specifically to reduce payment obligations. Understanding how negligence works in Arizona is the first step to recognizing when that’s happening. Arizona also recognizes negligence per se in situations where the defendant violated a statute designed to protect others.

Dram Shop Liability: A.R.S. Section 4-311

When an alcohol vendor serves a visibly intoxicated patron who then causes an accident, Arizona’s dram shop law can extend liability to the vendor. This opens an additional avenue of recovery in drunk driving cases, often accessing coverage beyond the driver’s own policy limits.

What Damages Are Recoverable in a Tempe Personal Injury Case?

Economic Damages

These are your concrete financial losses. Medical expenses, past and future. Hospital and emergency room bills. Surgery, physical therapy, prescriptions, and any ongoing or future treatment your injuries require. Lost wages during the period you couldn’t work. If your injuries are permanent or limit your future earning capacity, that projected loss is recoverable too.

Property damage, including vehicle repair or replacement, falls here as well. So do out-of-pocket costs like transportation to and from medical appointments. Every receipt, every bill, every pay stub matters. The quality of evidence in a personal injury claim is what makes or breaks an economic damages argument.

Non-Economic Damages

Arizona does not cap non-economic damages in most personal injury cases. This category covers the losses that don’t come with a receipt: pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment in activities you could participate in before the accident, and the effects of permanent scarring or disability on your daily life.

These damages are harder to quantify, which is exactly why presentation matters. The factors that influence case value include the severity and permanency of your injuries, the consistency of your medical treatment, and how clearly the evidence establishes the defendant’s fault. Adjusters are trained to minimize non-economic damages. The right legal representation changes that dynamic.

Punitive Damages

These are available in limited circumstances and are not part of most personal injury claims. Arizona courts award punitive damages when a defendant’s conduct was intentional, malicious, or showed a conscious disregard for others’ rights and safety. When the facts warrant the argument, we make it. When they don’t, we say so.

What Steps Should I Take After a Personal Injury Accident in Tempe?

Some of the most consequential decisions you’ll make about your case happen before you’ve ever spoken with an attorney. What you do in the first hours after an accident directly shapes both your health outcome and your legal position.

1. Get to safety. If you can move without worsening your injuries, get away from traffic, hazards, or anything posing ongoing risk. Don’t move if you suspect a spinal injury.
2. Call 911. Report the accident and request emergency medical assistance. A police report creates a formal, early record of what happened, who was involved, and how.
3. Seek medical care immediately. Even if you feel fine. Traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, and other serious conditions frequently present no immediate symptoms. Delayed treatment hands the insurer an argument.
4. Document everything at the scene. Photographs and video of vehicles, road conditions, injuries, property damage, and any relevant signage or environmental factors. Capture it all while you’re still there.
5. Collect witness contact information. Names and phone numbers. Witness accounts can become critical evidence, and memories fade quickly.
6. Exchange information. Driver’s license, insurance details, and contact information for all drivers involved.
7. Don’t admit fault or apologize. Not to the other driver, not to responding officers, not to an adjuster. Even a casual expression of sympathy can be mischaracterized later.
8. Notify your own insurer. Report the accident promptly. But do not give a recorded statement or sign any releases before speaking with an attorney.
9. Preserve all evidence and documentation. Don’t repair your vehicle before it’s professionally documented. Keep every piece of correspondence you receive. Save every bill and receipt.
10. Contact a Tempe personal injury attorney. Early legal involvement means evidence is preserved properly, deadlines are tracked, and the mistakes that cost injured people money don’t happen.

Personal Injury Statistics in Tempe, AZ

Tempe is one of the most densely populated cities in Maricopa County. It’s home to more than 80,000 Arizona State University students, sits at the convergence of several high-volume arterial corridors, and has one of the highest concentrations of pedestrian and bicycle activity in the Valley. Add a thriving nightlife district and a heavy commercial vehicle presence, and you have a city where serious accidents happen at a consistent and significant rate.

ADOT traffic records show Maricopa County logging the highest volume of motor vehicle crashes in Arizona year after year. Distracted driving, impaired driving, and failure to yield are cited among the most frequent contributing factors in statewide crash data.

The Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety consistently identifies alcohol-impaired driving as one of the state’s top traffic safety priorities. Despite significant enforcement activity in Maricopa County, DUI crashes remain a leading cause of serious injury and fatal accidents throughout the Valley.

NHTSA fatality data places Arizona above the national average for traffic deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. Pedestrian fatalities have risen sharply across Arizona over the past decade. Tempe’s urban corridors near campus and along Apache Boulevard account for a notable portion of those incidents.

Falls are a persistent injury source throughout Maricopa County. The National Safety Council identifies falls as among the leading causes of preventable injury deaths and emergency room visits in the United States each year. In Tempe’s commercial zones and construction-heavy corridors, slip and fall hazards are common.

Dog bites are another underestimated source of serious injury. CDC injury data estimates approximately 4.5 million dog bites annually in the United States. Arizona’s strict liability standard reflects how seriously the law treats these incidents.

These numbers represent real people navigating real consequences. There’s no obligation to have a legal professional review your situation to determine if the accident reaches the threshold to file a personal injury claim.

Tempe Personal Injury Lawyer FAQs

How much does it cost to hire a personal injury attorney in Tempe?

Nothing upfront. We work on contingency, meaning our fee is a percentage of what we recover. If there’s no recovery, there’s no fee. No retainers, no hourly billing. Attorney costs in Arizona personal injury cases are structured this way so that access to legal representation doesn’t depend on what you can pay upfront.

How long do I have to file a claim in Arizona?

Two years from the date of injury under A.R.S. Section 12-542, in most cases. Claims against government entities require a notice of claim within 180 days under A.R.S. Section 12-821.01. Missing either deadline usually ends your ability to recover. Don’t wait.

What is my case worth?

It depends on the severity of your injuries, your total medical costs, how long you were out of work, whether you have permanent limitations, and how cleanly liability falls on the other party. We explain the circumstances of your case that can influence your recovery in your initial consultation.

I was partly at fault. Can I still recover?

Yes. Arizona’s pure comparative fault rule under A.R.S. Section 12-2505 reduces your recovery by your percentage of fault, it doesn’t eliminate it. If you were 30% at fault in a case with $200,000 in damages, you recover $140,000. Insurers push shared fault narratives aggressively. That’s math, not fairness.

Should I accept the first settlement offer?

Almost never. Early offers from adjusters are typically well below actual case value. And signing a release closes your claim permanently. Before agreeing to anything, consider carefully what accepting an insurance settlement actually means long-term, particularly if your treatment isn’t finished.

Do I need a lawyer even if liability is obvious?

In most cases, yes. Clear fault doesn’t guarantee fair compensation. Insurers still contest injury severity, question treatment choices, and fight damages calculations. There are many more benefits to working with our personal injury lawyer than just identifying liability in your situation.

What injuries qualify for a personal injury claim in Tempe?

Broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, mild traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, internal injuries, soft tissue damage, nerve injuries, scarring, and more. Injuries covered under Arizona personal injury law span a broader range than most people expect.

How long does a personal injury case take to resolve?

It varies. Cases with clear liability and a finished medical picture can sometimes resolve in a few months. Contested liability, ongoing treatment, or serious injuries that require time to properly document often take one to three years. Settling before maximum medical improvement is one of the most common and costly mistakes we see. Don’t rush it.

What if I had a pre-existing condition?

Insurers use prior conditions to reduce or deny claims. But Arizona courts apply the eggshell plaintiff doctrine: defendants take plaintiffs as they find them. If the accident aggravated a condition you already had, that aggravation is compensable. Pre-existing conditions and injury claims are something we handle on a regular basis.

What if the driver who hit me wasn’t insured?

Your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may provide a path to recovery. We handle UM/UIM claims regularly and understand how to build them effectively.

My claim was denied. Now what?

A denial isn’t a final answer. Many initial denials are successfully reversed. We examine the stated basis for the denial and determine the best response, whether that’s challenging the denial directly, submitting additional evidence, or filing a lawsuit. Handling a denied claim depends on why the denial was issued and what the policy language actually says.

Will my case go to trial?

Most don’t. The majority of personal injury claims settle before a jury ever hears them. But Don Yearin has taken cases to verdict when fair settlement offers weren’t on the table. That track record matters in negotiations. Insurers adjust their behavior based on whether they believe the attorney on the other side will actually go to trial.

What does the actual lawsuit process look like?

Consultation, investigation, evidence gathering, a formal demand, negotiation, and litigation if needed. We explain each step of the personal injury claims process so you know what to expect next, and how to prepare.

Can I still file a claim if several months have passed?

Yes, provided you’re within Arizona’s two-year statute of limitation period. But evidence degrades and witness recollection fades. Sooner is consistently better, even if you don’t feel ready.

How do I get started with a Tempe personal injury attorney?

Reach us through our contact page. There’s no obligation and no cost to the consultation. We’ll go over what happened, answer your questions directly, and give you an honest picture of where your case stands.

Most Dangerous Locations for Personal Injury Accidents in Tempe, AZ

Certain roads and intersections in Tempe generate a disproportionate share of serious accidents. If you were injured at or near one of these locations, the specific conditions of the site may be legally relevant to your claim.

• Loop 202 (Price Freeway and South Mountain Freeway segments). High-speed traffic, complex interchange geometry, and significant commercial truck volume create persistent hazards for drivers and motorcyclists.
• US-60 (Superstition Freeway). One of the highest-volume freeways in the Valley, with regular congestion and documented rear-end collision patterns.
• Apache Boulevard. A heavily traveled surface street through central Tempe, with significant pedestrian exposure and a long history of serious crashes.
• Rural Road and University Drive corridor. ASU student foot traffic and bicycle volume frequently conflict with vehicle speeds on these roads, especially during peak academic hours.
• Mill Avenue. High foot traffic, nightlife activity, and a mixed-use pedestrian environment make this corridor particularly hazardous after dark.
• McClintock Drive. A major north-south arterial with recurring accident patterns at several major intersections.
• Baseline Road. Wide lanes, fast-moving traffic, and left-turn configurations that create documented hazards for pedestrians and drivers alike.
• Priest Drive. Commercial vehicle traffic and multiple high-volume intersections with a consistent history of collision reports.

What Are Important Local Resources for Injury Victims in Tempe, AZ?

If you’ve been hurt in Tempe, the organizations below may be useful during your medical care and legal process. This list is provided for informational purposes only.

• Tempe Police Department — (480) 350-8311
• Tempe Fire Medical Rescue — (480) 350-8341
• Banner Desert Medical Center — (480) 412-3000
• Valleywise Health Medical Center — (602) 344-5011
• Maricopa County Superior Court — (602) 372-5375
• Arizona Department of Transportation — (602) 255-0072
• ASU Police Department — (480) 965-3456
• Arizona Attorney General — (602) 542-5025

Disclaimer: Yearin Law Office does not endorse or maintain any affiliation with the organizations listed above. This information is provided as a general reference for personal injury victims in the Tempe area.

Contact Yearin Law Office

If you’ve been injured in an accident in Tempe, AZ, our Tempe personal injury lawyer is ready to hear your case. Free consultation, no obligation, and no fee unless we recover for you. The legal team at Yearin Law Office has been fighting for injury victims across Arizona since 1991, and the firm’s track record reflects a genuine commitment to seeing cases through. Contact us today to get started.