El Paso County · Uninsured and underinsured motorists
Fountain Uninsured and underinsured motorists Lawyers
Fountain uninsured and underinsured motorist lawyers. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
How a Fountain UM/UIM Claim Works
McCormick & Murphy are Fountain uninsured motorist accident lawyers for people hurt in Fountain. We get the Fountain Police Department and El Paso County Sheriff’s Office report, the UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central in Colorado Springs records, and file in El Paso County Combined Courts.
When the driver who caused your crash has no insurance, or doesn't carry enough liability coverage to pay for what you lost, you may be able to turn to your own policy's uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. This is a first-party claim against your own insurer, but don't mistake that for a simple process. Your insurance company still requires proof that the other driver was at fault and proof of the full value of your damages before it will pay.
We treat UM/UIM claims the same way we'd treat a claim against a negligent driver's insurer: we build the liability case first. That means figuring out how the crash happened on roads like I-25, U.S. Highway 85, Mesa Ridge Parkway, or Fountain Mesa Road, and showing the other driver was at fault. Only after fault is established does the conversation turn to how much your claim is worth.
UM/UIM claims also involve questions that don't come up in a typical liability claim: what coverage applies, whether there are multiple policies that could respond (your own, a household member's, or an employer's), how any payments from the at-fault driver's limited coverage offset what your insurer owes, and whether proper notice was given to your carrier. We walk Fountain clients through each of these issues so nothing gets missed.
What It Takes to Prove a UM/UIM Claim
Because you're proving the other driver's fault to your own insurance company, the underlying evidence matters just as much as it would in any crash claim. That includes the police report from Fountain Police Department or the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, photos from the scene, witness statements, and any available information about the at-fault vehicle and driver. We also gather and review all applicable insurance policies to identify every potential source of coverage and any coverage elections that affect your claim.
On the damages side, your medical records and bills, including treatment at facilities like UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central in Colorado Springs, document the injury itself. Proof of wage loss, out-of-pocket expenses, and ongoing care needs rounds out the damages picture. Because your own insurer will evaluate your claim closely, we prepare the same complete package of fault and damages evidence we'd use against any other insurance company.
- Report the crash to police and get a copy of the report
- Notify your own insurance company of the uninsured or underinsured driver
- Keep every medical record and bill related to the crash
- Save pay stubs or employer statements showing missed work
- Hold on to your insurance policy and any correspondence from your carrier
Handling UM/UIM Claims for Fountain Drivers
Fountain sits along the I-25 corridor and near U.S. Highway 85, with Fountain Mesa Road and Mesa Ridge Parkway carrying local and commuter traffic connecting to Colorado Springs, Security-Widefield, and Fort Carson. With this much through-traffic, including drivers from Pueblo, Monument, and beyond, uninsured and underinsured motorist crashes happen regularly in this area, and many involve injuries serious enough to need treatment at facilities like UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central.
A UM/UIM claim arising from a Fountain crash will typically be handled by your insurance company rather than filed in court, but if a dispute can't be resolved, El Paso County Combined Courts is where a Fountain-based case would proceed. We work directly with the Fountain Police Department and the El Paso County Sheriff's Office to gather the reports and records needed to support your claim from the start.
Damages We Pursue in UM/UIM Claims
- Medical expenses, past and future
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Out-of-pocket costs related to the injury
- Loss of enjoyment of life
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Fountain — and read client testimonials.
A passenger suffered traumatic brain, neck, and back injuries in a Colorado Springs intersection collision. After the carrier refused a fair number, a jury awarded $295,000 including interest and costs.
El Paso County jury verdict
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its facts, coverage, venue, and evidence.
Fountain Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyers FAQ
What is the difference between uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage?
Uninsured motorist coverage applies when the at-fault driver has no liability insurance at all. Underinsured motorist coverage applies when the at-fault driver has some insurance, but their policy limits aren't enough to cover the full value of your damages. Both types of coverage come from your own policy, not the other driver's.
Do I still have to prove the other driver was at fault?
Yes. Even though you're making a claim against your own insurance company, you still have to show that the other driver caused the crash. Your insurer will evaluate the liability evidence just as a third-party insurer would.
What if the at-fault driver has some insurance but not enough?
This is an underinsured motorist situation. Your UIM coverage can help make up the difference between what the at-fault driver's insurance pays and the full value of your damages, subject to your own policy limits and any applicable offsets.
Will my own insurance rates go up if I file a UM/UIM claim?
We can't speak to how any particular insurer handles rates, since that depends on your policy and company practices. What we can tell you is that UM/UIM coverage exists specifically so you have a source of recovery when the at-fault driver can't pay for what you lost.
What if multiple insurance policies might apply to my claim?
Some Fountain households have more than one auto policy, or coverage through an employer, that could potentially respond to a UM/UIM claim. We review all applicable policies to identify every possible source of coverage so you don't leave money on the table.
Discuss a Fountain crash
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.