Jefferson County · Uninsured and underinsured motorists
Wheat Ridge Uninsured and underinsured motorists Lawyers
Wheat Ridge uninsured and underinsured motorist lawyers. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
How a Wheat Ridge UM/UIM Claim Works
McCormick & Murphy are Wheat Ridge uninsured motorist accident lawyers for people hurt in Wheat Ridge. We get the Wheat Ridge Police Department report, the Intermountain Health Lutheran Hospital records, and file in Jefferson County Courts in Golden.
When the driver who caused your crash has no insurance, or not enough coverage to pay for your injuries, you 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 insurance company still requires proof that the other driver caused the crash and proof of how much your injuries and losses are worth.
In practice, this means your own insurer becomes the party you're negotiating against, and sometimes disputing with, over fault and value. We've seen carriers in Jefferson County take a hard look at these claims, questioning whether the other driver was really at fault or whether your injuries are as serious as you say. That's why UM/UIM claims deserve the same careful buildout as a claim against a negligent driver's insurer.
We also look closely at every policy that might apply. That can include your own auto policy, a resident relative's policy, or a policy tied to a vehicle you were riding in at the time of the crash. Identifying every available layer of coverage, and understanding any offsets for amounts already paid by the at-fault driver's limited coverage, is part of building your claim correctly from the start.
What We Document for Your UM/UIM Claim
Because you must prove fault even though you're claiming against your own insurer, we gather the same evidence we'd use against a negligent driver: police reports from Wheat Ridge Police Department, witness statements, photos from the scene, and any available video from along I-70, Wadsworth Boulevard, Kipling Street, or West 38th Avenue. We also confirm the other driver had no insurance, or identify the limits of their coverage, so we can show why UM/UIM applies.
On the damages side, we collect medical records tied to treatment at facilities like Intermountain Health Lutheran Hospital, wage loss documentation, and any other proof of how the crash affected your life. We also review your notice to your own insurer carefully, since how and when you report a UM/UIM claim can affect how the insurer evaluates it. Finally, we assess the carrier's own evaluation of your claim and push back where it understates fault or value.
- Police report and the responding officer's information
- Any proof the other driver had no insurance or limited coverage
- Photos of vehicle damage, the scene, and your injuries
- Medical records and bills from all treatment
- Your own insurance policy documents and any notice you sent your insurer
Handling UM/UIM Claims in Wheat Ridge and Jefferson County
Wheat Ridge sits along busy corridors like I-70, Wadsworth Boulevard, Kipling Street, and West 38th Avenue, where crashes with uninsured or underinsured drivers happen regularly. When those crashes lead to injury, residents often need to turn to their own UM/UIM coverage, and we help them do that correctly from the outset, whether the collision happened locally or while driving through nearby Arvada, Lakewood, Golden, Denver, or Westminster.
If a UM/UIM claim can't be resolved through negotiation, it may need to proceed through Jefferson County Courts in Golden. We prepare every claim with that possibility in mind, building the fault and damages record as if a judge or jury may eventually need to see it, even while we're working to resolve things directly with your insurer.
Losses We Pursue in UM/UIM Claims
- Medical expenses for treatment related to the crash
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Future medical care tied to your injuries
- Property damage not otherwise covered
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Wheat Ridge — 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.
Wheat Ridge 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 proof that the other driver was at fault and proof of the full value of your damages, and it's evaluating your claim with its own financial interests in mind. Having someone build and present that proof carefully often makes a real difference in how the claim is resolved.
What if the other driver had some insurance, just not enough?
That's an underinsured motorist, or UIM, situation, and your own policy's UIM coverage can apply to make up the difference. We review the at-fault driver's policy limits alongside your own coverage to determine what's available and account for any offsets.
What if I'm not sure whether I have UM/UIM coverage?
We review your policy documents to determine what coverage applies, including coverage through a policy held by a relative you live with or a vehicle you were riding in. Many drivers have more potential coverage than they realize.
Will my own insurance rates go up if I file a UM/UIM claim?
That's a question best directed to your insurer or agent, since it depends on your policy and insurer's practices. We focus on building the strongest possible claim for the compensation you're owed.
What happens if my insurer disputes my UM/UIM claim?
We negotiate directly with the insurer and present the fault and damages evidence we've gathered to support your claim. If the claim can't be resolved that way, we're prepared to pursue it further, including through Jefferson County Courts in Golden if necessary.
Discuss a Wheat Ridge crash
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.