Arapahoe County · Uninsured and underinsured motorists
Centennial Uninsured and underinsured motorists Lawyers
Centennial uninsured and underinsured motorist lawyers. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
How a Centennial UM/UIM Claim Works
McCormick & Murphy are Centennial uninsured motorist accident lawyers for people hurt in Centennial. We get the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office report, the AdventHealth Littleton records, and file in Arapahoe County Justice Center.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist claims are first-party claims, meaning you make the claim against your own policy rather than the other driver's. But your insurer does not simply write a check because the other driver lacked coverage. You still have to prove the other driver caused the crash and prove the full value of your injuries and losses, just as you would in a claim against an at-fault driver.
Once fault and damages are established, the question becomes how much your own policy will pay. That depends on your UM/UIM limits, any other applicable policies, coverage elections made when the policy was purchased, and any offsets for amounts already paid by the other driver's limited coverage, if any exists. In a Centennial case, we look at every policy that might apply, including policies covering a vehicle you were a passenger in or a resident relative's policy.
Your insurer is required to evaluate the claim fairly, but insurers routinely dispute the value of UM/UIM claims the same way an opposing driver's insurer would. We build the claim as if we were proving it against the at-fault driver directly, then present that proof to your own carrier for the coverage owed.
What We Use to Prove a UM/UIM Claim
Because you must prove the other driver's fault even though you're claiming against your own insurer, we gather the same evidence we would in any Centennial crash case: the police report, witness statements, photos of the vehicles and scene, and any available video from along Arapahoe Road, University Boulevard, I-25, or E-470 where many of these collisions happen. We also confirm whether the other driver had any insurance at all or simply carried limits too low to cover your losses.
On the damages side, we document medical treatment, including care received at AdventHealth Littleton, wage loss records, and the long-term impact of your injuries. We also give your insurer timely notice of the claim and comply with your policy's requirements, since failing to follow policy terms can give the carrier grounds to dispute coverage. The stronger the proof of fault and damages, the harder it is for your own insurer to undervalue the claim.
- Report the crash to Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office and get a copy of the report
- Photograph vehicle damage, the scene, and any visible injuries
- Get contact information for all witnesses
- Keep records of every medical visit, including any care at AdventHealth Littleton
- Notify your own insurer promptly and review your policy's UM/UIM provisions
Handling UM/UIM Claims Near Centennial
Centennial sits along major corridors including I-25, E-470, Arapahoe Road, and University Boulevard, with heavy commuter and commercial traffic passing through to Greenwood Village, Englewood, Littleton, Aurora, and Lone Tree. These roads see their share of hit-and-run collisions and crashes involving drivers who carry no insurance or only the minimum required, which is exactly when UM/UIM coverage matters most.
A UM/UIM claim arising from a Centennial crash may need to be pursued in Arapahoe County, including proceedings tied to the Arapahoe County Justice Center if a dispute isn't resolved informally with your carrier. We handle the claim from the initial notice through negotiation with your insurer, and litigation if necessary, while you focus on recovering.
Losses We Pursue in UM/UIM Claims
- Medical expenses, past and future
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent impairment or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Centennial — 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.
Centennial 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 claiming against your own insurer, you must prove the other driver caused the crash and prove the extent of your damages. We build this proof the same way we would in a claim against the at-fault driver directly.
What if the other driver had some insurance but not enough?
That's an underinsured motorist, or UIM, situation. Your own UIM coverage can make up the difference between what the at-fault driver's policy pays and the full value of your claim, subject to your policy limits and any applicable offsets.
Will my insurance rates go up if I file a UM/UIM claim?
This is a question to raise directly with your insurance agent, since it depends on your policy and insurer. We focus on building and presenting the strongest possible claim for the coverage you're owed.
What if the other driver fled the scene and can't be identified?
Hit-and-run crashes where the driver can't be identified are often treated as uninsured motorist claims under your policy. A police report and any available evidence from the scene, including witness accounts or nearby video, help support the claim.
Do I need to notify my insurer right away after a UM/UIM crash?
Your policy likely has notice requirements, and failing to follow them can give the insurer grounds to dispute coverage. We review your policy terms and help make sure notice and other requirements are met.
Discuss a Centennial crash
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.