Larimer County · Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists
Fort Collins Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyers
Fort Collins uninsured and underinsured motorist lawyers. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
Fort Collins UM/UIM Claims: Proving Fault Against Your Own Policy
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.
From Fort Collins Police and Larimer County Sheriff Reports to Poudre Valley Hospital Records
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
After A Crash On I-25, College Avenue, Harmony Road Or Mulberry Street, Recovering UM/UIM Benefits
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.
Fort Collins auto accident overview →
UM/UIM claims in Fort Collins are part of our broader Denver car accident lawyers practice for the Denver metro area.
Investigating Fort Collins UM/UIM Claims & Client Office Access
Fort Collins uninsured and underinsured motorist claims require proving fault against your own policy. We gather Fort Collins Police Services reports, UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital records, and file in Larimer County Justice Center when needed.
- Evidence We Collect Across Larimer County: Police reports from Fort Collins Police Services or Larimer County Sheriff's Office, witness statements, photos, video from businesses or traffic cameras along College Avenue or Harmony Road, and confirmation the other driver was uninsured or underinsured. Medical records from UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital, wage loss documentation, and all applicable policy declarations.
- Denver Office Serves Fort Collins Region: We're based in Denver and represent clients throughout Fort Collins, Loveland, Wellington, Timnath, Windsor, and Greeley. We work directly with your insurance company on the UM/UIM claim and handle Larimer County matters through the Larimer County Justice Center when a lawsuit becomes necessary.
What A Fort Collins UM/UIM Claim Can Recover, From Poudre Valley Hospital Bills To Lost Wages
- 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.
Answers About Proving Fault And Coverage In A Fort Collins UM/UIM Claim
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?
Insurers in Colorado generally cannot punish you with a higher premium just because another driver fled and you used UM coverage. C.R.S. § 10-4-628 covers not-at-fault premium restrictions, and Division of Insurance rules address UM claim payments. We can walk through the claim process and what to watch for at renewal.
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.
UM/UIM claims in Fort Collins are part of our broader Denver uninsured motorist lawyers practice for the Denver metro area.
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