Douglas County · Uninsured and underinsured motorists
Highlands Ranch Uninsured and underinsured motorists Lawyers
Highlands Ranch uninsured and underinsured motorist lawyers. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
How Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Claims Work
McCormick & Murphy are Highlands Ranch uninsured motorist accident lawyers for people hurt in Highlands Ranch. We get the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office report, the UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital records, and file in Douglas County Justice Center.
A UM/UIM claim is different from a typical crash claim because you file it against your own insurance company rather than the other driver's insurer. The other driver either had no liability insurance at all, or carried limits too low to cover the full extent of what you lost. Your own policy steps in to fill that gap, assuming you carry UM or UIM coverage.
Even though you're dealing with your own insurer, you still have to prove the other driver caused the crash and prove the full value of your damages, just as you would in any other injury claim. Your insurer is not an adversary in name, but it evaluates your claim the way any insurance company evaluates a claim: looking for reasons to pay less. That means fault and damages still have to be documented and supported, not assumed.
We handle the coverage side of these claims too. That includes identifying every policy that might apply, reviewing your declarations page and policy language, calculating any offsets for what the at-fault driver's insurer did pay, and making sure required notice to your carrier is handled correctly. We also negotiate directly with the adjuster assigned to your UM/UIM claim and push back when an evaluation undervalues what happened to you.
What We Use to Prove Fault and Value
Because you still must prove the other driver was at fault, we gather the same evidence we'd use in any liability case: the police report, witness statements, photos of the scene and vehicle damage, and any available video from nearby businesses or traffic cameras along roads like C-470 or Highlands Ranch Parkway. We also confirm the at-fault driver's insurance status early, since that determines whether this is a UM claim, a UIM claim, or both.
On the damages side, we compile medical records and bills, documentation of missed work and lost income, and any other proof of how the crash affected your life. We also review every insurance policy that could apply, including umbrella or household policies, to identify the full scope of coverage available. All of this goes into the demand package we submit to the UM/UIM carrier, supporting both the liability picture and the dollar value of the claim.
- Report the crash to police and get a copy of the report
- Confirm whether the other driver had insurance and how much
- Notify your own insurance company about the claim promptly
- Keep all medical records, bills, and proof of lost wages
- Avoid giving a recorded statement to any insurer before speaking with us
Handling UM/UIM Claims Near Highlands Ranch
Highlands Ranch sees a steady mix of commuter and highway traffic, with C-470, U.S. Highway 85, University Boulevard, and Highlands Ranch Parkway all running through or near the area. These roads connect to Littleton, Lone Tree, Centennial, Castle Rock, and Englewood, and crashes involving uninsured or underinsured drivers happen on all of them. When injuries from these crashes require treatment, residents often go to UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital.
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office typically responds to and documents crashes in the area, and their reports become part of the record we use to establish fault. If a claim proceeds to litigation, it would typically be filed in Douglas County, with the Douglas County Justice Center serving as the courthouse for the area. We're familiar with how these local pieces fit together when building a UM/UIM claim for someone hurt in or around Highlands Ranch.
Damages We Pursue in UM/UIM Claims
- Medical expenses, including ongoing or future treatment needs
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life
- Out-of-pocket costs related to the injury
- Property damage not already resolved through another claim
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Highlands Ranch — 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.
Highlands Ranch Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyers FAQ
What's the difference between UM and UIM coverage?
UM, or uninsured motorist coverage, applies when the at-fault driver has no liability insurance at all. UIM, or underinsured motorist coverage, applies when the at-fault driver has insurance, but their limits aren't enough to cover your full losses.
Do I have to sue my own insurance company?
Not necessarily. Many UM/UIM claims are resolved through negotiation with your insurer, but if they won't offer a fair value for your claim, pursuing it further may become necessary.
Will filing a UM/UIM claim raise my insurance rates?
This depends on your insurer and policy, and Colorado has rules about how insurers can treat UM/UIM claims. We can discuss your specific situation and policy during a consultation.
What if the at-fault driver fled the scene?
A hit-and-run crash where the other driver is never identified is often treated as an uninsured motorist claim, since there's no identified insurance to pursue. The same requirement to prove fault and damages still applies, just directed at your own UM coverage.
How is the value of my UIM claim calculated?
We start with the full value of your damages, then account for what the at-fault driver's insurance already paid, since UIM coverage generally fills the remaining gap up to your policy limits. We document your damages thoroughly so the underinsured portion of your claim reflects everything you actually lost.
Discuss a Highlands Ranch crash
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.