El Paso County · Uninsured and underinsured motorists
Manitou Springs Uninsured and underinsured motorists Lawyers
Manitou Springs uninsured and underinsured motorist lawyers. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
How a Manitou Springs UM/UIM Claim Works
McCormick & Murphy are Manitou Springs uninsured motorist accident lawyers for people hurt in Manitou Springs. We get the Manitou Springs 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 at-fault driver has no insurance, or not enough coverage to pay for what the crash cost you, Colorado law allows you 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 insurer isn't on your side just because you pay them premiums.
You still have to prove the other driver caused the crash and prove the full value of your damages, just as if you were suing that driver directly. Your own carrier will scrutinize the fault evidence and challenge your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering the same way an opposing insurer would. We build that proof and present your claim the way we would present it to any insurance company, because that is exactly what we're doing.
We also look at every policy that might apply. That can include your own auto policy, policies covering resident relatives in your household, or coverage tied to a vehicle you don't own but were driving. We sort through stacking, offsets, and coverage elections so you understand what's actually available before you accept anything the adjuster offers.
What We Use to Prove Your UM/UIM Claim
Because you still have to prove the other driver's fault, we gather the same evidence we would for any liability case: the police report from Manitou Springs Police Department or El Paso County Sheriff's Office, photos from the scene, witness statements, and any available video from businesses along Manitou Avenue, Ruxton Avenue, or El Paso Boulevard. If the crash happened on U.S. Highway 24, we look for additional traffic camera or dashcam footage given the volume of through-traffic on that corridor.
On the damages side, we collect medical records documenting your treatment, including care received at UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central in Colorado Springs, along with wage loss documentation and any other proof of how the crash has affected your life. We also review your policy language closely, including notice provisions and any requirements for how and when to put your insurer on notice of the claim. A thorough file matters here because your own insurer will evaluate your claim the same way it evaluates any claim: looking for reasons to pay less.
- The police report naming the at-fault driver and noting insurance status
- Photos of vehicle damage, the scene, and your injuries
- Contact information for any witnesses
- All medical records and bills tied to the crash
- A copy of your own auto insurance policy, including declarations pages for any household vehicles
Handling UM/UIM Claims in Manitou Springs and El Paso County
Manitou Springs sees a mix of local traffic and visitors navigating narrow streets like Manitou Avenue and Ruxton Avenue, along with the faster-moving traffic on U.S. Highway 24 connecting to Colorado Springs, Old Colorado City, and Woodland Park. Uninsured and underinsured drivers turn up in all of these settings, whether it's a tourist in a rental car, a seasonal worker, or a commuter passing through from Fountain or Monument. When the at-fault driver can't cover your losses, your own policy may be the only path to full recovery.
If your UM/UIM claim can't be resolved with your insurer, it may need to proceed through El Paso County Combined Courts. We prepare every claim as though it might end up there, which means building a complete record from the start rather than waiting until negotiations stall. Our office is at 929 W Colorado Ave in Colorado Springs, convenient to clients throughout Manitou Springs and the surrounding area.
Damages We Pursue in UM/UIM Claims
- Medical expenses, past and anticipated future care
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage not otherwise covered
- Loss of enjoyment of life from lasting injury
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Manitou Springs — 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.
Manitou Springs Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyers FAQ
Do I need a lawyer if I'm just filing a claim with my own insurance company?
Yes. Your insurer still requires you to prove the other driver's fault and the full extent of your damages, and the company has a financial interest in paying you as little as possible. We handle that proof and the negotiation so you aren't navigating it alone against an adjuster who does this for a living.
What if the at-fault driver had some insurance, just not enough?
That's an underinsured motorist, or UIM, claim. You can pursue the at-fault driver's available liability coverage first, then turn to your own UIM coverage to make up the difference, subject to your policy terms and any offsets.
Can I stack coverage from multiple vehicles or policies?
It depends on your policy language and how many vehicles or policies you have. We review your declarations pages and any household policies to determine what coverage may be available to you.
What if I was a passenger, not the driver, when the crash happened?
You may still have a UM/UIM claim through your own policy, a resident relative's policy, or the policy covering the vehicle you were riding in. We sort through which policies apply to your situation.
Does it matter where in El Paso County the crash happened?
The location affects which police agency responded and where records are held, but the UM/UIM claim process itself is the same whether the crash happened on Manitou Avenue, U.S. Highway 24, or elsewhere in the county. What matters most is building solid proof of fault and damages.
Discuss a Manitou Springs crash
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.