Adams County · Uninsured and underinsured motorists
Brighton Uninsured and underinsured motorists Lawyers
Brighton uninsured and underinsured motorist lawyers. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
How a Colorado UM/UIM Claim Works
McCormick & Murphy are Brighton uninsured motorist accident lawyers for people hurt in Brighton. We get the Brighton Police Department and Adams County Sheriff’s Office report, the Intermountain Health Platte Valley Hospital records, and file in Adams County Justice Center.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist claims are different from a typical car accident case. Instead of filing against the at-fault driver's insurer, you make a claim against your own policy, or sometimes a policy covering the vehicle you were in. But your own insurance company does not simply write a check because the other driver lacked coverage. You still have to show that the other driver caused the crash and prove the full extent of your injuries and losses, just as you would in any other case.
This dual burden surprises a lot of people. Your insurer, the one you've paid premiums to, is now evaluating your claim much like an adversary would. They will look closely at how the crash happened, whether you contributed to it, and whether your medical treatment and expenses line up with what they consider reasonable and necessary. We build the fault and damages case the same way we would against any other driver, then present it to your carrier for a fair evaluation.
Coverage questions add another layer. We look at all applicable policies, whether UM/UIM coverage was properly elected or rejected, what the policy limits are, and whether any offsets apply from other sources of recovery. Getting these details right matters, because they determine how much coverage is actually available to pay your claim.
What We Gather to Support Your Claim
Because you must prove the other driver's fault even though they aren't a party to your UM/UIM claim, we gather the same evidence we would in any collision case: police reports from Brighton Police Department or the Adams County Sheriff's Office, witness statements, photos of vehicle damage and the scene, and any available information confirming the other driver lacked adequate insurance. Crashes along I-76, U.S. Highway 85, Bridge Street, or Bromley Lane often involve higher speeds, which can mean more serious injuries and more insurance resistance.
On the damages side, we collect medical records and bills documenting your treatment, which may include care at Intermountain Health Platte Valley Hospital, along with wage loss documentation and any other proof of how the crash has affected your life. We also review the notice you gave your insurer and the timing of that notice, since how and when a claim is reported can factor into the carrier's evaluation. All of this goes toward building a complete, well-supported claim rather than leaving your insurer room to undervalue what happened to you.
- Report the crash to police and get a copy of the report
- Notify your own insurance company about the uninsured or underinsured driver
- Keep all medical records and bills related to your injuries
- Document missed work and any other financial losses
- Avoid giving a recorded statement to your insurer before speaking with us
Handling UM/UIM Claims in Brighton and Adams County
Brighton sits along busy corridors like I-76, U.S. Highway 85, Bridge Street, and Bromley Lane, where commuter and commercial traffic moves through Adams County every day. These roads see their share of collisions, and not every driver on them carries adequate insurance, or any insurance at all. When that happens to a Brighton resident, the claim often ends up as a UM/UIM matter handled through the injured person's own policy.
We're familiar with how these claims move through Adams County, including matters that may involve the Adams County Justice Center, and we understand the practical realities of treatment and documentation for people injured in and around Brighton, Commerce City, Thornton, Northglenn, and Fort Lupton. Whether your crash happened on a highway on-ramp or a local street, we work to make sure your own insurer treats your claim fairly.
Losses We Pursue in UM/UIM Claims
- Medical expenses from the crash
- Future medical care related to your injuries
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage to your vehicle
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Brighton — and read client testimonials.
After I was hit by a drunk driver with no insurance, my own insurer refused UM benefits. McCormick & Murphy sued for uninsured motorist benefits and bad faith. A jury awarded me over $900,000.
C. O., Denver · UM / bad-faith verdict
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its facts, coverage, venue, and evidence.
Brighton Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyers FAQ
Do I still need to prove the other driver was at fault in a UM/UIM claim?
Yes. Even though you're making a claim against your own insurance, you still have to show the other driver caused the crash. Your insurer will evaluate fault much like a liability carrier would, so we build that case with the same evidence we'd use against any at-fault driver.
What's the difference between uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage?
Uninsured motorist coverage applies when the at-fault driver has no insurance at all. Underinsured motorist coverage applies when the at-fault driver has some insurance, but their policy limits aren't enough to cover your full damages.
Why is my own insurance company questioning my claim?
Insurers evaluate UM/UIM claims carefully because they're paying out of your own policy. That means they often scrutinize fault, medical treatment, and damages just as closely as a third-party insurer would, even though you've been paying them premiums.
Does it matter which policies might apply to my claim?
Yes. We review all policies that could potentially provide coverage, including whether UM/UIM coverage was properly selected or rejected on each one. The available limits and any offsets can significantly affect what you're able to recover.
What should I do if I think the other driver had no insurance?
Report the crash to police and notify your own insurance company as soon as you reasonably can. Keep documentation of your injuries and losses, and avoid giving a recorded statement to your insurer before talking with us about your situation.
Discuss a Brighton crash
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.