Douglas County · Uninsured and underinsured motorists
Lone Tree Uninsured and underinsured motorists Lawyers
Lone Tree uninsured and underinsured motorist lawyers. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
Understanding Your Uninsured Motorist Claim
McCormick & Murphy are Lone Tree uninsured motorist accident lawyers for people hurt in Lone Tree. We get the Lone Tree Police Department report, the HCA HealthONE Sky Ridge records, and file in Douglas County Justice Center.
When the driver who caused your crash has no insurance, or doesn't carry enough coverage to pay for your injuries, you may still have a path to recovery through your own auto policy's uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. This is a first-party claim, meaning you're making a claim against your own insurance company rather than the other driver's. That doesn't make it simple. Your insurer still requires you to prove the other driver caused the crash and to prove the full value of what you lost.
In practice, this means your own carrier plays a dual role. It's the company you've paid premiums to for protection, but it's also the party that stands to pay your claim and may evaluate it the way an adverse insurer would. We've seen UM/UIM claims get disputed on liability, on the extent of injuries, and on how much coverage actually applies once offsets and policy stacking questions come into play.
We handle these claims by building the same kind of fault and damages case we would bring against a negligent driver directly, then presenting it to your insurer with the proof needed to support full value. We also review your policy and any other applicable coverage to make sure every available avenue is considered.
What It Takes to Prove a UM/UIM Claim
Because your insurer will scrutinize both fault and damages, we gather the same evidence we'd use in a standard crash claim: police reports, witness statements, photos of the vehicles and scene, and any available data about how the collision happened. We also confirm the other driver truly lacked sufficient coverage, which often requires documentation from their insurer or confirmation that no policy existed.
On the damages side, we compile medical records, bills, and documentation of wage loss, along with any other proof of how the crash affected your daily life. We also review your own policy limits, any other policies that might apply, and how your insurer calculates offsets, so we can respond to their evaluation with a complete, well-supported claim rather than letting the carrier set the terms of the conversation.
- Report the crash to police and get a copy of the report
- Notify your own insurance company of the accident promptly
- Keep records of all medical treatment and related expenses
- Document missed work and any effect on your income
- Save your full auto policy, including declarations and endorsements
Handling UM/UIM Claims in Lone Tree
Lone Tree crashes involving uninsured or underinsured drivers often happen along busy corridors like I-25, C-470, Lincoln Avenue, and Yosemite Street. These are high-traffic routes connecting Lone Tree to Highlands Ranch, Centennial, Parker, Castle Rock, and Greenwood Village, and collisions here can be serious given the speeds and volume of travel. When Lone Tree Police Department responds to a crash, their report becomes an important piece of evidence in establishing how the collision happened.
Injured residents are often treated at HCA HealthONE Sky Ridge, and we help clients gather those medical records to support their claim. If a UM/UIM dispute proceeds to litigation, it may be filed in the Douglas County Justice Center. We work with Lone Tree clients to build a thorough claim from the outset, whether the matter resolves with the insurer directly or requires further proceedings.
Losses We Help Recover
- Medical bills and future treatment costs
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to the crash
- Loss of enjoyment of life
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Lone Tree — 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.
Lone Tree Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyers FAQ
Do I need to sue the other driver to collect UM/UIM benefits?
No. A UM/UIM claim is made against your own insurance policy, not a lawsuit against the other driver. You still need to prove that driver was at fault, but the claim itself is handled through your insurer.
What if the other driver had some insurance, but not enough?
This is an underinsured motorist, or UIM, situation. Your own policy's UIM coverage can apply to make up the difference between what the at-fault driver's insurance pays and the full value of your damages.
Will my insurance rates go up if I file a UM/UIM claim?
UM/UIM claims typically arise from an accident that wasn't your fault, and many states regulate how insurers can treat these claims regarding rate increases. We can help you understand how your specific policy and insurer generally handle these situations.
What if I don't know whether the other driver had insurance?
We can help investigate this as part of building your claim. Confirming the status of the other driver's coverage is often one of the first steps in determining whether a UM/UIM claim applies.
Why would my own insurance company dispute my UM/UIM claim?
Even though you've paid premiums, your insurer still has a financial interest in minimizing what it pays out. That means they may dispute fault, challenge the extent of your injuries, or argue about how much coverage applies.
Discuss a Lone Tree crash
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.