Boulder and Weld counties · Uninsured and underinsured motorists
Longmont Uninsured and underinsured motorists Lawyers
Longmont uninsured and underinsured motorist lawyers. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
How a UM/UIM Claim Works
McCormick & Murphy are Longmont uninsured motorist accident lawyers for people hurt in Longmont. We get the Longmont Public Safety and Boulder County Sheriff’s Office report, the UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital records, and file in Boulder County Justice Center or Weld County Combined Courts.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist claims are different from a typical injury claim. Instead of pursuing the at-fault driver's insurer, you make a claim against your own policy, or a policy you're covered under, because the other driver had no insurance or not enough of it to cover what you lost. It's still your insurance company, but once you make a claim, the relationship can turn adversarial fast.
Even though this is a claim against your own carrier, you still have to prove the other driver caused the crash and prove the full extent of your damages, just as you would in any other case. Your insurer will scrutinize the fault question and the damages question closely, because every dollar they pay you is a dollar out of their pocket. We build the case the same way we'd build it against an at-fault driver's insurer, then present it to your own carrier.
We also look at every policy that might apply. That can include your own auto policy, policies covering household relatives, or policies tied to a vehicle you didn't own. Figuring out which policies stack, which offsets apply, and how much coverage is actually available takes careful review of the policy language and the facts of the crash.
What We Gather to Support Your Claim
We start with the basics: the police report, photos from the scene, witness statements, and any available video from businesses along U.S. Highway 287, Colorado Highway 119, Hover Street, or Ken Pratt Boulevard. These establish how the collision happened and who caused it, which you still have to prove even in a first-party claim. We also confirm the at-fault driver had no insurance, or identify the limits of their policy if the claim is underinsured motorist coverage.
On the damages side, we gather medical records and bills, documentation of lost wages, and any other proof of how the crash affected your life. We also review your own policy's declarations and endorsements to confirm coverage limits, stacking provisions, and any notice requirements your insurer may point to. Because your insurer will conduct its own evaluation of the claim, we prepare a thorough, well-documented demand so they have no reasonable basis to undervalue what you're owed.
- Report the crash to police and get the report number
- Confirm whether the other driver had any insurance and get their information
- Notify your own insurance company of the crash promptly
- Keep all medical records, bills, and proof of missed work
- Avoid giving a recorded statement to any insurer before talking with us
Handling UM/UIM Claims in Longmont
Longmont sits at the intersection of busy corridors like U.S. Highway 287, Colorado Highway 119, Hover Street, and Ken Pratt Boulevard, where traffic from Boulder, Loveland, Lafayette, Erie, and Firestone converges. With that volume of traffic comes a steady number of crashes involving drivers who skipped their insurance or carry only minimum limits. When that happens to you, your own UM/UIM coverage is often the only path to full compensation.
We handle these claims for Longmont residents whether the crash was investigated by Longmont Public Safety or the Boulder County Sheriff's Office, and whether your treatment took place at UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital or elsewhere. If your claim moves into litigation against your insurer, it would typically be filed in the Boulder County Justice Center or Weld County Combined Courts, depending on where the crash occurred. We know how local insurers and adjusters tend to approach these cases in this area.
Losses We Pursue in UM/UIM Claims
- Medical expenses, past and future
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent impairment or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Longmont — 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.
Longmont Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyers FAQ
Why do I need a lawyer for a claim against my own insurance company?
Your insurer still has a financial incentive to pay as little as possible, even though you've been a paying customer. We've seen carriers dispute fault, downplay injuries, or argue coverage limits apply differently than you'd expect. Having a lawyer evaluate the claim and deal with the adjuster helps protect what you're owed.
What's the difference between uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage?
Uninsured motorist coverage applies when the at-fault driver has no insurance at all. Underinsured motorist coverage applies when the at-fault driver has some insurance, but their limits aren't enough to cover your full losses. Both types of coverage are first-party claims made against your own policy.
Do I still have to prove the other driver was at fault?
Yes. Even though you're making a claim against your own insurer, you still have to show the other driver caused the crash and show the full value of your damages. We gather the same kind of evidence we'd use in any injury claim to support your case.
What if more than one insurance policy might cover my claim?
It's common for multiple policies to potentially apply, including your own auto policy, a household relative's policy, or coverage tied to a vehicle you were riding in. We review the available policies and their terms to determine which ones apply and how much total coverage may be available.
What should I do if the other driver fled the scene or can't be identified?
A hit-and-run or unidentified driver situation often falls under uninsured motorist coverage, since there's no insurance to pursue from the other side. Reporting the crash to police promptly and notifying your own insurer are important early steps. We can help you understand what your policy requires and gather the evidence needed to support the claim.
Discuss a Longmont crash
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.