Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Attorney in Denver, CO

Your first step should be to contact an expert Denver, CO uninsured/underinsured motorist attorney who can determine your legal options based on your specific case and the financial position of the at-fault uninsured party. You will likely have at least two options: file a claim against your own insurance provider for uninsured motorist benefits or sue the uninsured driver. This is where Mintz Law Firm comes in.

Understanding Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists

Uninsured and underinsured motorists pose a significant risk to drivers on the road. According to the Insurance Research Council (IRC), one in eight drivers on the road is uninsured, and many more are underinsured. This means that if you are involved in an accident with one of these drivers, you may not be able to recover the full amount of damages from their insurance company. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage can help protect accident victims from financial losses in such situations.

How Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage Works

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is designed to provide financial protection to drivers who are involved in an accident involving uninsured or underinsured motorists. This coverage can help pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In most cases, you would file a claim with your own insurance company, which would then pay out the damages up to the limits of your policy. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage can be purchased as part of your auto insurance policy, and it is usually optional.

Colorado Laws and Requirements

In Colorado, drivers are required to carry minimum amounts of auto liability insurance as part of the Colorado auto insurance requirements. However, this does not necessarily mean that they have enough coverage to pay for damages in the event of an accident. Colorado law also requires insurance companies to offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage to drivers who purchase the required amounts of car insurance. Drivers may accept or decline this coverage in writing.

The Importance of Colorado Auto Insurance

Colorado auto insurance is mandatory, and drivers must carry a minimum level of liability insurance to cover bodily injury and property damage. However, this minimum coverage may not be sufficient to cover the full extent of losses in the event of a serious accident. Uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist coverage can provide additional financial protection, helping to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage. Colorado drivers should carefully review their auto insurance policies to ensure they have adequate coverage, including UM and UIM, to protect themselves and their loved ones in the event of an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist.

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT FILING AN UNINSURED DRIVER CLAIM AFTER AN ACCIDENT

If the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance, the car accident lawsuit process may not result in compensation, making it crucial to file an uninsured motorist claim. That’s why it may be in your best interest to plan by purchasing insurance coverage for bodily injury caused by uninsured and underinsured drivers.

Nearly every Colorado car insurance company offers drivers the option of securing uninsured motorist (UM) coverage for a slightly higher monthly rate. If purchased, you’ll have help paying for medical bills, lost wages, or car repairs—up to your policy cap—if you’ve been hit by a driver without car insurance. UM coverage essentially takes over as liability coverage for the uninsured at-fault driver. Keep in mind that you must still negotiate a settlement with your insurer.

If the insurance company fails to honor the policy you’ve purchased by denying your claim or lowballing the amount you deserve, reach out to an experienced car accident attorney to help you fight for your rights. Our legal team of Denver uninsured and underinsured motorist lawyers is here to get the ball rolling and fight to recover the compensation you deserve, whether that’s from the other driver’s insurance company or your UM motorist coverage.

SHOULD YOU SUE AN UNINSURED DRIVER AFTER A DENVER CAR ACCIDENT?

You may sue the other driver directly, though this alternative isn’t always profitable, especially if the driver lacks adequate insurance. Uninsured drivers may not have insurance coverage because they are not in the financial position to purchase it, meaning they may not have much money to offer you. An expert Denver underinsured auto accident attorney can determine if filing a lawsuit against the uninsured driver makes financial sense.

Additionally, it is crucial to review your own insurance policy to ensure you have uninsured motorist coverage. This coverage can provide essential financial protection, allowing you to recover damages directly from your own insurer when the at-fault party lacks insurance. If this is the option you choose to explore, keep in mind that the at-fault party may file for bankruptcy, which may further delay your ability to collect or prevent you from fully recovering the amount of the damages caused by the negligent driver.

SEEKING COMPENSATION FROM YOUR PERSONAL INSURANCE PROVIDER AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT

If you decide not to sue the other driver, there are other ways you might be able to receive compensation and support from your insurance provider:

• Collision coverage would mean your insurance company makes payments to replace or repair your vehicle after an accident. The company can charge a deductible, but may not always do so.
• Medical payment coverage may help pay for your treatments and medical care—up to your policy’s limit—for you and any passengers in your car if you are injured in a crash. This is the case regardless of who is considered responsible for your losses. While health insurance can cover such injuries, it may come with high deductibles and copayments, making medical payments coverage a valuable supplement or alternative for those without health insurance. Deductibles are uncommon, but please check your personal policy to be sure.

It wasn’t long ago that you could count on your medical bills being covered regardless of who was at fault after an automobile accident. However, insurance laws were altered in 2003, which now means that Colorado drivers now need to take extra precautions against the threat of being involved in a collision involving an uninsured or underinsured driver. Fortunately, if you find yourself in a sticky situation, our trusted team of experienced Denver car accident lawyers can help you determine what’s best for you based on the circumstances of your case.

What to Do After an Uninsured Motorist Accident

If you are involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, it is essential to take the right steps to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. First, seek medical attention immediately if you are injured. Next, report the accident to the police and exchange information with the other driver, if possible. It is also crucial to notify your insurance company and provide them with all relevant details, including the other driver’s information and any witness statements. If you have uninsured motorist coverage, you may need to file a claim with your own insurance company to receive compensation for your losses. A Denver uninsured motorist lawyer can help guide you through the process and ensure you receive the maximum compensation available.

Auto Insurance Options for Protection

There are several auto insurance options available to protect yourself from uninsured and underinsured motorists. These include:

• Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage: This coverage can help pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering if you are involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist.
• Collision coverage: This coverage can help pay for damages to your vehicle if you are involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist.
• Comprehensive coverage: This coverage can help pay for damages to your vehicle from other types of accidents, such as theft or vandalism.
• Medical payments coverage: This coverage can help pay for medical expenses, including copayments or deductibles, for you and your passengers, regardless of fault.

CONTACT DENVER UNDERINSURED/UNINSURED MOTORIST LAWYERS

At Mintz Law Firm, we know how difficult and stressful it can be to get into a car accident with an uninsured driver. Navigating through this can be time-consuming and infuriating, so we want to make this as simple as possible. Once we determine a strategy based on your needs and circumstances, we can help you recover what’s owed to you by your insurance company and make sure that your insurer treats you fairly.

Don’t make the mistake of going at this alone. Let us do the hard work for you so that you can focus on what matters: your health, recovery, and financial security. With over 150 years of experience combined, the attorneys at Mintz Law Firm understand the specifics of car accident law in Colorado and will aim to achieve the best results possible. Our team of Denver uninsured accident lawyers is dedicated to securing justice for all of our clients. For a free consultation, call (303) 732-8919 or fill out the contact form on our website.