El Paso County · Uninsured and underinsured motorists
Monument Uninsured and underinsured motorists Lawyers
Monument uninsured and underinsured motorist lawyers. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
How a Monument UM/UIM Claim Works
McCormick & Murphy are Monument uninsured motorist accident lawyers for people hurt in Monument. We get the Monument Police Department and El Paso County Sheriff’s Office report, the UCHealth Memorial Hospital North in Colorado Springs records, and file in El Paso County Combined Courts.
When the driver who caused your crash has no insurance, or not enough insurance to cover your losses, you may be able to turn to your own policy's uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. This is a first-party claim against your own insurer, but it does not change the basic facts you must prove. You still have to show the other driver caused the crash and establish what your injuries and losses are actually worth.
Your insurer stands in a different position than a typical at-fault carrier. It owes you a duty of good faith, but it also has financial incentive to limit what it pays. That tension means UM/UIM claims often require the same kind of documentation and advocacy as a claim against a negligent driver, even though you are dealing with your own company.
We review your policy and any other policies that may apply, figure out what coverage is actually available, and build the case for fault and damages before we present a claim or demand to the carrier. If the insurer's evaluation falls short of what the case is worth, we are prepared to push back.
What We Look At in a UM/UIM Case
We start with the underlying collision: police reports, witness statements, photos, and any available scene evidence from the crash on roads like I-25, Highway 105, Second Street, or Baptist Road. We need to show the other driver was at fault just as we would in any injury claim, even though that driver may not be a party to your UM/UIM claim.
From there we gather proof of damages: medical records and bills from providers such as UCHealth Memorial Hospital North, wage loss documentation, and records showing how the injury has affected daily life. We also identify every policy that may provide coverage, review policy language for coverage elections and offset provisions, and make sure any required notice to your insurer is handled correctly. All of this goes into how we present the claim and respond to the carrier's evaluation.
- Report the crash to Monument Police or the El Paso County Sheriff's Office and get a copy of the report
- Get medical care and keep all records and bills from providers like UCHealth Memorial Hospital North
- Find out if the other driver had any insurance and get their information if possible
- Review your own auto policy and any household members' policies for UM/UIM coverage
- Notify your insurance company about the uninsured or underinsured driver promptly
Monument Uninsured Motorist Crashes
Monument sits along the I-25 corridor between Colorado Springs and Castle Rock, with Highway 105, Second Street, and Baptist Road carrying local and commuter traffic. Crashes on these roads are not rare, and not every driver involved carries adequate insurance, or any insurance at all. When that happens, injured drivers and passengers in Monument often have to rely on their own UM/UIM coverage to recover for their losses.
We handle UM/UIM claims for people in Monument and nearby communities including Colorado Springs, Palmer Lake, Woodland Park, Castle Rock, and Fountain. These claims can end up in El Paso County Combined Courts if a resolution with the insurer cannot be reached, and we prepare every case with that possibility in mind.
Losses We Pursue in UM/UIM Claims
- Medical expenses from the crash, past and future
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life
- Out-of-pocket costs related to treatment 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 Monument — 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.
Monument Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyers FAQ
What is the difference between uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage?
Uninsured motorist coverage applies when the at-fault driver has no liability insurance at all. Underinsured motorist coverage applies when the at-fault driver has insurance, but their policy limits are not enough to cover your damages. Both types of coverage come from your own auto policy.
Do I still have to prove the other driver was at fault?
Yes. Even though you are making a claim against your own insurer, you still have to show the other driver caused the crash and establish the value of your damages. Your insurer will evaluate the claim much like a liability carrier would.
What if more than one policy might apply to my crash?
It is common to check your own policy, any resident relatives' policies, and sometimes a policy tied to the vehicle you were in. We review all potentially applicable policies to identify every source of coverage available to you.
Will my insurance rates go up if I file a UM/UIM claim?
We cannot speak to how a particular insurer sets rates after a UM/UIM claim. We focus on helping you pursue the coverage you paid for when another driver's lack of insurance leaves you with unpaid losses.
What should I do if the at-fault driver fled the scene or had no insurance?
Report the crash to Monument Police or the El Paso County Sheriff's Office as soon as possible and get medical care right away. Then notify your own insurer about the situation and reach out to us so we can review your policy and start building the claim.
Discuss a Monument crash
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.