Teller County · Uninsured and underinsured motorists
Woodland Park Uninsured and underinsured motorists Lawyers
Woodland Park uninsured and underinsured motorist lawyers. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
How a Woodland Park UM/UIM Claim Works
McCormick & Murphy are Woodland Park uninsured motorist accident lawyers for people hurt in Woodland Park. We get the Woodland Park Police Department and Teller County Sheriff’s Office report, the UCHealth Pikes Peak Regional Hospital records, and file in Teller County Combined Courts.
When the driver who caused your crash has no insurance, or not enough insurance to cover what you lost, your own policy's uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage can step in. This is a first-party claim against your own insurer, not a lawsuit against the other driver. But your insurer will still expect you to prove that the other driver was at fault and that your damages are worth what you're claiming.
That puts you in an odd position: you're making a claim against the company you pay premiums to, and that company is now evaluating your case the way an opposing insurer would. They will scrutinize the police report, the medical records, and the wage loss documentation. They may argue the other driver wasn't entirely at fault, or that your injuries aren't as serious or as connected to the crash as you say.
We handle UM/UIM claims by building the same kind of fault and damages case we'd build against a negligent driver, then presenting it to your carrier. We also review your policy and any other policies that might apply, including household or umbrella coverage, so you're not leaving available coverage on the table.
What We Look At
We start with the facts of the underlying wreck: the police report, witness statements, vehicle damage, and photos from the scene. If Woodland Park Police or the Teller County Sheriff's Office responded, their report matters, especially if it identifies the other driver as uninsured or confirms how the crash happened. We also look at how and where the crash occurred, whether on U.S. Highway 24, Colorado Highway 67, Baldwin Street, Midland Avenue, or elsewhere in the area, since road conditions and traffic patterns can support your version of events.
On the insurance side, we review every policy that could apply, your own UM/UIM limits, any stacking provisions, and any coverage elections you made when you bought the policy. We gather medical records tied to treatment at UCHealth Pikes Peak Regional Hospital or wherever you were seen, wage documentation if you missed work, and anything that shows the carrier's internal evaluation of your claim so we can respond to their numbers with facts, not guesses.
- Police report confirming the other driver lacked insurance or had low limits
- Your own auto policy declarations page showing UM/UIM coverage
- Medical records and bills from all treatment related to the crash
- Pay stubs or employer records showing missed work and lost income
- Any written notice or correspondence you've sent to your insurer about the claim
Handling UM/UIM Claims Around Woodland Park
Woodland Park sits along U.S. Highway 24, with Colorado Highway 67 connecting south toward Cripple Creek. These are busy routes with a mix of local and through traffic, and uninsured drivers show up here like anywhere else. When a crash happens on these roads or on surface streets like Baldwin Street and Midland Avenue, the Woodland Park Police Department or Teller County Sheriff's Office typically handles the scene, and their documentation becomes part of your coverage case.
We also work with clients from Manitou Springs, Colorado Springs, Monument, Palmer Lake, and Cripple Creek who were injured in or near Woodland Park and are now dealing with their own insurer over a UM/UIM claim. If your case ends up in litigation, it would typically be filed in Teller County Combined Courts. Our office is in Colorado Springs, and we meet with Teller County clients there or by phone.
Damages We Pursue in UM/UIM Claims
- Medical expenses, past and future, tied to the crash
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent impairment or disfigurement
- Out-of-pocket costs for property damage and related expenses
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Woodland Park — 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.
Woodland Park Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyers FAQ
Do I sue the other driver or my own insurance company?
You file a claim with your own insurer under your UM/UIM coverage, since the other driver has no insurance or not enough to cover your losses. You still have to prove the other driver caused the crash and show the full extent of your damages, just as you would in a claim against them directly.
What if I don't know whether the other driver had insurance?
The police report often notes whether the other driver could produce proof of insurance at the scene. If that information isn't clear, we can help track down whether a policy existed and what limits applied before deciding how to proceed.
Will my insurance rates go up if I file a UM/UIM claim?
UM/UIM claims are meant to protect you when someone else causes a crash and can't cover the damage, and many policies are structured so this type of claim doesn't penalize you the way an at-fault claim might. Ask your agent about your specific policy, since terms vary.
What if my own insurer disputes how serious my injuries are?
This happens often in UM/UIM claims because your insurer is evaluating the claim much like an opposing party would. We respond with medical records, treatment history, and documentation that supports the full value of your injuries and losses.
Can I combine coverage from more than one policy?
Depending on your policies and how they're written, you may have access to more than one source of UM/UIM coverage, including household policies or umbrella coverage. We review all applicable policies to see what coverage might be available to you.
Discuss a Woodland Park crash
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.