Larimer County · Uninsured and underinsured motorists
Fort Collins Uninsured and underinsured motorists Lawyers
Fort Collins uninsured and underinsured motorist lawyers. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
How a Fort Collins UM/UIM Claim Works
McCormick & Murphy are Fort Collins uninsured motorist accident lawyers for people hurt in Fort Collins. We get the Fort Collins Police Services and Larimer County Sheriff’s Office report, the UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital records, and file in Larimer County Justice Center.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist claims are different from a typical auto accident case. Instead of filing against the other driver's insurance company, you file against your own policy, or sometimes a policy you're covered under as a passenger or household member. Even though it's your own carrier, the claim doesn't become automatic. Your insurer still requires proof that the other driver caused the crash and proof of the full extent of your losses.
That dynamic creates a tension. Your insurance company is contractually obligated to pay what you're owed under the policy, but it also has a financial interest in minimizing that payout. We've seen Fort Collins claims where the carrier disputes fault for the underlying collision, questions the medical treatment, or argues the injuries existed before the crash. Treating the claim as a formality instead of building it like a full negligence case is a common mistake.
Underinsured motorist claims add another layer. If the at-fault driver had some liability coverage but not enough to cover your damages, we have to account for that in the UIM claim, including any offset for what the at-fault driver's insurer already paid. We review your policy limits, any household or stacked coverage, and how those apply before we present your claim to your own insurer.
What We Use to Prove Fault and Damages
Because you still must prove the other driver was at fault, we gather the same evidence we'd use in any collision claim: the police report from Fort Collins Police Services or the Larimer County Sheriff's Office, witness statements, photos from the scene, and any available video from nearby businesses or traffic cameras along corridors like College Avenue or Harmony Road. We also look for confirmation that the other driver was in fact uninsured or underinsured, which usually comes from the police report or a coverage search.
On the damages side, we compile medical records tied to treatment, often starting with care at UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital, along with documentation of wage loss and other financial impact. We also identify every policy that might apply, including your own auto policy and any other policy you might be covered under, since coverage questions can be as important as fault questions in a UM/UIM case.
- Police report confirming the other driver lacked insurance or had limited coverage
- Your own auto insurance policy declarations page showing UM/UIM coverage
- Medical records and bills from treatment after the crash
- Proof of missed work or lost income
- Any correspondence with your insurance company about the claim
Handling UM/UIM Claims Around Fort Collins
We handle uninsured and underinsured motorist claims arising from crashes throughout Fort Collins and Larimer County, including along I-25, College Avenue, Harmony Road, and Mulberry Street. These claims also come from surrounding communities like Loveland, Wellington, Timnath, Windsor, and Greeley, where drivers frequently travel into Fort Collins for work or errands. Wherever the crash happened, the same proof requirements apply: fault for the underlying collision and the value of your damages.
If a lawsuit becomes necessary, Larimer County matters are typically handled through the Larimer County Justice Center. We're based in Denver and represent clients across the region, working directly with your insurance company on the UM/UIM claim while keeping you informed on where things stand.
Damages We Evaluate in UM/UIM Claims
- Medical expenses from the crash, past and ongoing
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering and impact on daily life
- Property damage not otherwise covered
- Future medical care tied to the injury
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Fort Collins — 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.
Fort Collins Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyers FAQ
Why do I file against my own insurance company if the other driver caused the crash?
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is part of your own policy, designed to protect you when the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough. You still have to prove that driver was at fault and show the full extent of your damages, even though the claim goes through your own carrier.
What if the other driver had some insurance, just not enough?
That's an underinsured motorist, or UIM, situation. We account for what the at-fault driver's insurer already paid and pursue the difference through your UIM coverage, up to your policy limits.
Will my insurance rates go up if I file a UM/UIM claim?
We can't speak to every insurer's internal practices, but UM/UIM coverage exists specifically for situations like this, where you weren't at fault. We focus on building your claim and let you make informed decisions about how to proceed.
What if I'm not sure whether I have UM/UIM coverage?
We review your policy declarations page to confirm what coverage applies, including any other policies you might be covered under as a passenger or household member. Coverage details vary, so it's worth having this checked rather than assuming.
Does it matter where in the Fort Collins area the crash happened?
The UM/UIM claim process is similar whether the crash occurred on I-25, College Avenue, Harmony Road, or elsewhere in Larimer County. What matters most is documenting fault and damages clearly, regardless of the exact location.
Discuss a Fort Collins crash
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.