Yearin Law Secures $598,790 Verdict Against Allstate in Insurance Dispute Case

Yearin Law obtained a $598,790 judgment for a personal injury client following a bench trial that stemmed from a 2024 motor vehicle collision. The case involved a serious accident that occurred on February 14, 2024, when the firm's client was a front-seat passenger in a high-impact crash. The driver, who was making an improper left turn, failed to yield to oncoming traffic, resulting in a violent collision captured on dash cam video that became critical evidence presented at trial.

The client sustained multiple injuries including herniated cervical discs, a lumbar injury, shoulder trauma, and a concussion. Her medical treatment included chiropractic care, physical therapy, and spinal injections, with medical expenses totaling over $45,000. Despite the at-fault driver carrying a $50,000 liability policy limit with Allstate, the insurer offered only $25,000, invoking a controversial family step-down clause in its policy. Allstate argued that because the client and driver were engaged and living together, coverage should be limited to Arizona's minimum statutory limits.

Personal injury attorney Don Yearin, founder of Yearin Law, challenged this interpretation, asserting the clause did not apply because the parties were not legally related. He argued such limitations are inconsistent with the reasonable expectations of policyholders that coverage should apply equally regardless of familial relationships. When Allstate refused to tender the remaining $25,000 to resolve the claim, Yearin Law Office filed suit and served the at-fault driver. Allstate failed to file a timely response, leading Yearin to file an application for entry of default, which the court granted.

After oral arguments on August 18, 2025, Judge Mary C. Cronin denied Allstate's motion to set aside the default, setting the stage for a trial on damages. At trial, the client testified about the daily impact of her injuries, while her treating physician, a board-certified medical expert, rebutted defense claims that her spinal injuries predated the accident. The physician provided detailed testimony using MRI images, confirming the injuries were consistent with acute trauma rather than degeneration.

Allstate's legal team downplayed the severity and permanence of the injuries, suggesting damages should be capped at $100,000. Yearin argued for a full and fair verdict based on medical evidence and the lasting impact on the client's life. The court sided with Yearin's arguments, awarding the full $598,790 requested. This case demonstrates the potential consequences insurers face when undervaluing claims and denying coverage based on ambiguous policy language. Yearin indicated they now plan to pursue a bad faith insurance claim on behalf of their client, highlighting how insurance disputes can escalate when initial settlement offers fail to adequately address claimant injuries and losses.