Jefferson County · Uninsured and underinsured motorists
Lakewood Uninsured and underinsured motorists Lawyers
Lakewood uninsured and underinsured motorist lawyers. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
How a Lakewood Uninsured Motorist Claim Works
McCormick & Murphy are Lakewood uninsured motorist accident lawyers for people hurt in Lakewood. We get the Lakewood Police Department report, the CommonSpirit St. Anthony Hospital records, and file in Jefferson County Courts in Golden.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is first-party insurance, meaning you make the claim against your own policy or a policy you're covered under. But the claim isn't automatic. You still have to prove the other driver caused the crash and show the full extent of your losses, just as you would in a claim against an at-fault driver who had insurance.
In Lakewood, these crashes happen on roads like U.S. Highway 6, West Colfax Avenue, Wadsworth Boulevard, and Kipling Street, where traffic volume and speed differentials create serious collisions. When the at-fault driver has no insurance or carries only minimal liability limits that don't cover your medical bills and other losses, UM/UIM coverage is meant to fill that gap.
Your own insurance company isn't on your side in this process, even though you've paid premiums. Insurers evaluate UM/UIM claims the same way they'd evaluate a third-party liability claim, scrutinizing fault and disputing the value of your injuries. We build the case to prove both the other driver's fault and the true cost of what you've lost.
What It Takes to Prove a UM/UIM Claim
We start by identifying every policy that might apply. That includes your own auto policy, policies held by relatives in your household, and sometimes policies tied to a vehicle you didn't own but were driving or riding in. Coverage elections, stacking provisions, and how your policy defines an underinsured motorist all affect what's available. We also account for any offsets the carrier may claim against the at-fault driver's liability payout.
Proving the claim itself requires the same evidence as any collision case: police reports, witness statements, photos, and documentation showing how the crash happened and who caused it. We then build out the damages side with medical records, bills, wage loss documentation, and other proof of how the injury has affected your life. Because your own insurer will scrutinize this evidence closely, we present it in a way that holds up to that scrutiny.
- The police report, including any notes on the other driver's insurance status
- Your own auto policy and any other policies that might provide UM/UIM coverage
- Photos of the crash scene, vehicle damage, and visible injuries
- All medical records and bills tied to the crash
- Pay stubs or employer records showing missed work and lost income
Handling UM/UIM Claims in Jefferson County
We work with Lakewood Police Department reports to establish how the crash happened and to document that the other driver lacked adequate insurance. Medical treatment at facilities like CommonSpirit St. Anthony Hospital provides the foundation for the injury side of the claim, and we gather those records as part of building your case.
When a UM/UIM claim can't be resolved directly with the insurer, it may proceed through Jefferson County Courts in Golden. We also handle claims arising from crashes in nearby Golden, Wheat Ridge, Denver, Arvada, and Morrison, since many Lakewood drivers travel through these areas regularly.
Losses We Pursue in UM/UIM Claims
- Past and future medical treatment related to the crash
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life
- Out-of-pocket costs tied to the injury and recovery
- Property damage not otherwise covered
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Lakewood — 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.
Lakewood Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyers FAQ
Do I need a lawyer if I'm just filing a claim with my own insurance company?
Yes. Even though UM/UIM is your own coverage, your insurer still disputes fault and challenges the value of your injuries, much like a third-party insurer would. Having representation helps make sure your claim is presented with the proof it needs to hold up.
What if the at-fault driver had some insurance, just not enough?
That's an underinsured motorist (UIM) situation. You may be able to recover the difference between what the at-fault driver's policy pays and the full value of your damages, up to your own UIM limits.
Can I use UM/UIM coverage from a relative's policy if I was hurt as a passenger?
Possibly. Depending on the policy language and your relationship to the policyholder, coverage from a household member's auto policy may apply. We review every available policy to identify all potential sources of coverage.
Will my insurance rates go up if I file a UM/UIM claim?
We don't handle insurance rate decisions, but we can tell you that UM/UIM coverage exists specifically for situations like this. We focus on helping you recover what the coverage is meant to provide.
What if the insurance company says my injuries don't match the crash?
This is a common dispute in UM/UIM claims. We counter it with thorough medical documentation, treatment records, and other evidence that ties your injuries directly to the collision.
Discuss a Lakewood crash
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.