Cottonwood and the Verde Valley · Yavapai County
Cottonwood personal injury lawyer.
Don’t fight the insurance company alone.
A wreck near the SR 89A and SR 260 junction, a pedestrian struck in Old Town, or a collision with an impaired driver: tell Henry Beam, a former prosecutor, what happened. No fee unless we win, and the first call costs nothing.
No attorney fee without a recovery. Case costs and expenses remain your responsibility regardless of recovery.
Photo: Deborah Lee Soltesz, U.S. Forest Service, Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
- 5.0Google ratingRead reviews on Google
- 10.0Avvo ratingSuperb · October 2026
- 2019Super Lawyers Rising StarsArizona selection
- Top 100Trial LawyersThe National Trial Lawyers · 2014 and 2015
- 2014Avvo Clients’ ChoiceClient-nominated award
Recognitions are specific to the dates shown and are not guarantees of a case outcome. Links open the issuing organizations’ websites.
Hurt in Cottonwood? Hire Henry.
Henry Beam is a Cottonwood injury lawyer and former prosecutor. No fee unless we win. The consultation costs nothing, and when you book, your first call is with Henry. He handles your case himself and pursues the recovery Arizona law allows for your injuries.
Beam Injury Law · Sources checked October 10, 2026
No fee unless we win
No attorney fee without a recovery. Case costs and expenses are separate and remain your responsibility regardless of recovery; the written agreement explains the terms.
Free consultation
Book a time and your first call is with Henry. Bring questions, not paperwork. Talking first creates no obligation.
Recognized Arizona lawyer
Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2019. Avvo rating 10.0. Rated 5.0 on Google. Recognitions are specific to the dates shown.
Former prosecutor
Henry started his career as a prosecutor. That background shapes how he reads evidence, police reports, and the other side’s version of events.
Personal attention
Henry handles your case himself. Once you hire him, you get his personal cell number.
Which agency has my Cottonwood crash report?
- Whichever agency responded. Cottonwood police investigate crashes in city limits and post reports to BuyCrash; DPS keeps reports for crashes its troopers worked on state highways.
What are the deadlines for a Cottonwood injury claim?
- Most Arizona injury lawsuits must be filed within two years. Claims against the City of Cottonwood, Yavapai County, or the State need written notice within 180 days and a lawsuit within one year after the claim accrues.
Who usually pays for injuries from a Cottonwood crash?
- Usually the at-fault driver's liability insurer, since the claim is brought against that driver. Coverage on the injured person's own auto policy can also come into play, depending on the facts.
Questions about your Cottonwood crash? Talk to Henry.
A free consultation with a former prosecutor who handles your case himself.
No attorney fee without a recovery. Case costs and expenses remain your responsibility regardless of recovery.
“Working with Henry Beam was very satisfying — he was professional and friendly. He kept good communication so that I never wondered what was happening with my case. I would highly recommend working with him.”
Individual experiences and results vary.
5.0Read reviews on GoogleA Verde River city where two state highways meet
- crashes within Cottonwood city limits, 2024 (ADOT)
- 294crashes within Cottonwood city limits, 2024 (ADOT)
- injured in crashes inside Cottonwood during 2024 (ADOT)
- 124injured in crashes inside Cottonwood during 2024 (ADOT)
- alcohol-related Cottonwood collisions in ADOT's 2024 table
- 18alcohol-related Cottonwood collisions in ADOT's 2024 table
- crashes across all of Yavapai County, 2024 (ADOT, county total)
- 3,836crashes across all of Yavapai County, 2024 (ADOT, county total)
Cottonwood sits on the Verde River in Yavapai County, and two ADOT highways cross it. The City's General Plan says "SR 89A/Main, SR 260 North of Fir Street, SR 89A West of Main" carry "the highest vehicular traffic volumes in the City," and it calls the SR 260/SR 89A junction "the most heavily used intersection in the area." The city-run Verde Shuttle departs the Cottonwood Library every hour for Sedona along SR 89A.
Sources: ADOT 2024 Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts, Table 2-5 (Yavapai County block); City of Cottonwood 2024 General Plan (amended March 2025); City of Cottonwood: Verde Shuttle rider guide (April 2026)
What happened in Cottonwood?
01 / SR 89A & SR 260 crashes · Cottonwood
Cottonwood car accident lawyer: the SR 89A and SR 260 corridors.
The General Plan says corridors mixing high-speed traffic with "frequent conflict points," including these state-highway segments, "lead to a relatively high rate of injury crashes."
- ADOT counted 294 crashes inside Cottonwood in 2024, more than any Yavapai County city or town except Prescott and Prescott Valley.
- The General Plan lists a posted 45-mph limit on the SR 89A bypass and on SR 260 south of Fir Street, and 55 and 65 mph on SR 89A east of town.
- NACOG's February 2026 Verde Valley plan update lists Hwy 260 between SR 89A and Western Drive, and SR 89A at Camino Real Road, among Cottonwood's priority locations.
Recommendations in that NACOG update include raised medians that limit driveway turns, edgeline rumble strips on Hwy 260 from Fir Street to Western Drive, and adjusted signal timing at the SR 89A junction; they are recommended, not funded. Cottonwood police investigate crashes within city limits, while DPS keeps reports only for crashes its own troopers worked on state highways, so the agency that responded holds the report. Driveway and turning collisions often involve more than one careless driver, and Arizona generally assigns each party its own percentage of fault.
Sources: ADOT 2024 Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts, Table 2-5 (Yavapai County block); City of Cottonwood 2024 General Plan (amended March 2025); NACOG Verde Valley Master Transportation Plan newsletter (Feb. 2026); Cottonwood Police Department: Traffic Enforcement Unit; Arizona DPS: request records; A.R.S. § 12-2506 (fault among several parties)
Points to pin down after a highway or driveway collision
- Was a Cottonwood officer or a DPS trooper at the scene, and what report number appears on the card?
- Did the crash involve a vehicle turning into or out of a business driveway?
- Which signal, lane, or turn arrow controlled each driver at that moment?
02 / Pedestrians & cyclists · Cottonwood
Cottonwood pedestrian accident lawyer: Old Town, Hwy 260 crossings, and bike routes.
North Main Street in Old Town is a 15-mph district whose small businesses, in the General Plan's words, "rely on foot traffic," and the plan suggests considering treatments that shorten crossings there.
- For Old Town, the General Plan suggests considering "intersection treatments that shorten crossing length," and well-defined crosswalks and better lighting with a possible roundabout at Main and Willard.
- NACOG's 2026 update recommends a safer crosswalk at Rio Mesa Trail across Hwy 260 and a shared-use path on Fir Street from Mingus Union High School to Hwy 260.
- The City's plan lists mapping crashes involving drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists and regularly analyzing recent serious-injury crashes among its traffic-safety actions.
A pedestrian or cyclist claim usually turns on where the person was crossing or riding, what the driver could see, and how fast the vehicle was moving. Lighting at the time, marked or unmarked crosswalks, and any shop cameras along Main Street can all matter. If the walker or rider shares some blame, Arizona's comparative-fault rule generally reduces the recovery by that share instead of barring it.
Sources: City of Cottonwood 2024 General Plan (amended March 2025); NACOG Verde Valley Master Transportation Plan newsletter (Feb. 2026); A.R.S. § 12-2505 (comparative fault)
Facts that shape a pedestrian or bicycle claim
- Was the person inside a marked crosswalk, at an unmarked corner, or riding in a shared lane?
- Which storefronts or homes nearby might have cameras facing the street?
- How dark was it, and were streetlights working at that spot?
03 / Impaired drivers · Cottonwood
Cottonwood drunk driving accident lawyer: a former DUI prosecutor representing the injured.
Henry Beam prosecuted DUIs as a Mohave County Deputy County Attorney, so he knows how these cases are built and where the key evidence comes from.
- ADOT recorded 18 alcohol-related crashes in Cottonwood in 2024; they injured 6 people and killed no one.
- Countywide, Yavapai saw 213 alcohol-related crashes in 2024, with 11 people killed and 143 injured, according to ADOT.
- The injured person's claim is separate from any criminal case and does not depend on the driver being convicted.
The criminal case belongs to the State, and prosecutors set its pace. The injury claim runs against the impaired driver, with that driver's insurer usually paying, so a plea to a lesser charge does not erase it. Police observations, field test notes, and the timing of a breath or blood sample can still help establish what happened on the road.
Sources: ADOT 2024 Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts, Table 2-5 (Yavapai County block); A.R.S. § 28-1381 (DUI)
Questions about the driver who was drinking or drugged
- Did Cottonwood police or a DPS trooper arrest or cite the driver?
- Has a victim advocate reached out about the criminal case and its hearing dates?
- Which liability policy covers that driver, and what coverage does the injured person's own policy list?
You didn’t pick this fight. Don’t fight this alone.
No fee unless we win, and the consultation is free.
No attorney fee without a recovery. Case costs and expenses remain your responsibility regardless of recovery.
Your next steps
After a Cottonwood collision: what to do first.
After the first two steps, most of this can wait a day or two, and a family member can handle much of it.
Emergency help, then every record
Get emergency help first. Discharge instructions and records from each later visit show how the injury changed over time.
Write down who came
Note whether a Cottonwood officer or a DPS trooper responded, along with any report number the officer handed out.
Photograph the road
When it is safe, capture the signals, driveways, lane markings, skid marks, and vehicle damage before anything moves.
Order the report
Cottonwood police reports are posted to BuyCrash (LexisNexis). A report written by a DPS trooper is requested through the DPS records unit.
Slow down with the other side's adjuster
No rule requires giving the other driver's insurance company a recorded statement before speaking with a lawyer.
Sources: Cottonwood Police Department: Police Records; Arizona DPS: request records
Working with Henry
How a Cottonwood case works with a Tempe-based lawyer.
The practice is not in the Verde Valley, and a Cottonwood case still gets one lawyer from start to finish. When a face-to-face meeting is needed, one is arranged.
A calendar call comes first
Reserve a slot through Henry's online scheduler. At that consultation he reviews the crash, the injuries, and the available insurance.
Paperwork read by Henry
Paperwork from the insurer, the crash report, and the medical records go to Henry, who reads them himself and explains what they mean.
Henry keeps the case himself
Once hired, Henry personally handles the legal work, and in-person meetings are set up by arrangement.
The insurance company fights to pay less. Henry fights for more.
Timing matters
Injury claim deadlines for Cottonwood accidents.
Most Arizona injury lawsuits must be filed within two years. Claims against a city, county, or the state move much faster, and exceptions can shorten or extend these periods.
| Claim or duty | Deadline | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Typical injury lawsuit arising from a Cottonwood collision | 2 years | A.R.S. § 12-542 |
| Written notice of claim to the City of Cottonwood, Yavapai County, or the State | 180 days | A.R.S. § 12-821.01 |
| Suit against the City, the county, or the State, measured from accrual of the claim (usually the day of injury) | 1 year | A.R.S. § 12-821 |
Deadlines generally run from when a claim accrues, and exceptions exist. This table is not a calculation of your deadline. If time may be short, seek prompt legal help rather than relying on a future calendar appointment.
Your lawyer’s background
From prosecutor to your lawyer.
Henry earned his Arizona license in 2009 and began as a prosecutor, handling DUI cases and trying many cases there. He came to the Tempe area in 2010 and, in 2012, founded Beam Law, PLC as a private attorney. Today he runs his own personal injury practice, with 17+ years of Arizona legal experience. The firm is based in Tempe and does not have a Cottonwood office.
Once someone hires Henry, they get his personal cell number.
- 5.0 Rated 5.0 on Google
- Avvo rating 10.0
- Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2019
Ratings are specific to the dates shown by the issuing organizations and are not guarantees of a case outcome.
“When you hire me, you get me.”
Henry Beam · Former prosecutor · Arizona attorney since 2009
Your next step
Book a free consultation with Henry.
Reserve a phone slot
Pick a 30-minute time and describe the Cottonwood crash however it comes out. There is no charge and no obligation.
A second conversation if wanted
Anyone who would like to walk through documents or ask more questions before deciding can follow up with Henry directly.
A written fee agreement
If Henry takes a Cottonwood case, the contingency fee and how case costs are handled are spelled out in a signed agreement.
Henry’s calendar opens right on this page.
- Text HenryKeep it brief; don’t send records by text
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Leave your name and number and Henry will get back to you.
We'll get back to you as soon as possible.
Free consultation. No attorney fee without a recovery; case costs and expenses remain your responsibility regardless of recovery. Contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Before you reach out
Questions about hiring a Cottonwood injury lawyer.
Direct answers about crash reports, fault, insurance, and working with Henry from Cottonwood.
How can I get a Cottonwood police crash report?
Cottonwood police reports are uploaded automatically to BuyCrash through LexisNexis. Search under the Cottonwood Police Department with the report number, or with a last name plus the crash date or street. Requests can also be made in person at the department during normal business hours.
Who investigates a crash on SR 89A or SR 260 inside Cottonwood?
The report stays with whichever agency responded. Cottonwood police investigate crashes within city limits, and DPS keeps reports for crashes its troopers worked on state highways. The officer's card or exchange form names the agency; DPS reports typically reach its records unit within 14 days of the crash.
Which trauma center is located in Cottonwood itself?
Verde Valley Medical Center, which the Arizona Department of Health Services lists under Level IV Trauma Centers. Flagstaff Medical Center is on the Level I list. Keeping records from the emergency room, follow-up clinics, and therapy appointments documents how a crash injury developed over time.
Does a Cottonwood injury claim wait for the DUI case to end?
No. The civil injury claim is separate from the criminal prosecution and can move ahead without a conviction. Arrest reports and test results from the criminal file may still be useful evidence. The general two-year deadline for filing an Arizona injury lawsuit keeps running while the DUI case is pending.
Do I need a police report or a complete medical file before calling?
No. Start with what happened, where it happened, and how the injury is affecting you. If you have a report number or insurance correspondence, mention it, but you do not need to assemble a complete case file before requesting a consultation. Do not send medical records or other sensitive documents through an initial text or website message.
What does a consultation cost, and how do attorney fees work?
Beam Injury Law offers a free consultation. The contingency fee is 33⅓% of the gross amount recovered if the matter resolves at or before mediation or settlement conference, whether before or after a lawsuit is filed. Filing a lawsuit alone does not increase the fee. If the matter does not resolve at or before mediation or settlement conference, the fee is 40% of the gross amount recovered, even if it later settles without a trial. The 40% rate also applies if the matter proceeds to trial or arbitration or results in a verdict, award, or judgment. No attorney fee is owed if there is no recovery. Case costs and expenses are separate and remain the client's responsibility regardless of recovery. Review the written agreement for the full terms before signing.