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When you’ve suffered injuries as a result of a car accident caused by another driver, you expect the at-fault driver’s car insurance policy to cover your losses, such as your medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. After all, drivers in Colorado are required by law to carry liability coverage insurance for that very purpose.
Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for a Colorado motorist to be uninsured, despite the minimum liability insurance laws. According to the Insurance Information Institute, more than 16 percent of motorists in Colorado are uninsured.
If you have questions about how to protect yourself following an accident with an uninsured motorist and what options you may have for obtaining compensation for your losses, turn to The Wilhite Law Firm for help. Since 1977, our Colorado personal injury lawyers have fought for the rights of people who’ve been hurt in our community. We’re ready to stand up for you.
If you’ve been injured by a careless driver who doesn’t have auto insurance, you need skilled legal representation on your side. Contact our Colorado auto collision attorneys today for a free case review today.
How to Protect Yourself When You Are Hit by an Uninsured Driver in Colorado
Unfortunately, some drivers choose to get behind the wheel without the minimum liability insurance coverage mandated by Colorado law. When these drivers injure others in motor vehicle accidents, they can put significant financial burdens on injured victims. But you can protect yourself by purchasing uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage under your own auto insurance policy.
Having uninsured motorist (UM) coverage in your auto policy means that your insurer can step into the shoes of the insurance policy that the uninsured at-fault driver should have been carrying. As a result, by purchasing UM coverage, you ensure that you have a source of funds you can access for compensation if you are injured in a crash caused by an uninsured motorist.
Steps You Should Take Immediately Following an Accident with an Uninsured Motorist in Colorado
Following a car accident involving an at-fault driver who doesn’t have insurance, these steps can help protect your legal rights and options for pursuing financial compensation for your losses:
- Make sure to report the accident to the police, even if the uninsured driver tries to talk you out of it. Without an official record of the accident, you may find it challenging to prove who caused the accident or to get compensation for your injuries and losses, even from your own insurance company.
- Document the accident scene by taking photos or videos of details such as vehicle damage, skid marks on the road, traffic controls and road lines, and weather or traffic conditions at the time of the crash. Take photos of any visible injuries you may have suffered as well.
- Get a complete physical examination from your primary physician or another doctor as soon as possible to identify any injuries you sustained in the crash. Remember to follow all treatment instructions your doctor gives you.
- Keep copies of bills and invoices for all your expenses.
- Take notes to document the difficulties and impacts of your injuries and treatment on your personal and professional life.
- Notify your insurance company of the accident as soon as possible. Your policy may require you to give notice within a specific time after the crash to be eligible for UM coverage.
- Speak to a car accident lawyer about your case to discuss what options you may have for obtaining financial compensation and benefits for your recovery.
Can I Obtain Compensation After an Accident with an Uninsured Motorist in Colorado?
If you are injured in an accident caused by an uninsured motorist, you may have several options to obtain compensation for the expenses and losses you incur due to your injuries.
First, you may be able to obtain compensation for your medical expenses if you have purchased MedPay coverage as part of your auto insurance policy. MedPay refers to an optional coverage that can help pay for your medical expenses from a car accident, regardless of who was at fault. In addition to MedPay in your auto insurance, you might be eligible for coverage of your medical expenses through your health insurance.
You can also purchase optional collision or comprehensive coverage on your auto insurance policy, which will help pay for repair costs for the damage your vehicle sustained in the accident.
Optional uninsured motorist coverage under your auto insurance policy can help ensure that you are fully compensated, or as close to fully compensated as possible, for the losses you sustained due to a car accident caused by an uninsured driver.
Unlike MedPay coverage, UM coverage can compensate for all the losses you suffer due to an accident, including lost income, pain and suffering, and lost quality of life, as uninsured motorist coverage effectively stands in for the insurance policy the uninsured driver should have had.
You may also choose to file a car accident lawsuit against the at-fault driver. However, drivers who don’t have the required auto insurance coverage often do not have significant financial assets that can be used to pay a judgment in a car accident lawsuit.
Why You Need Help From an Colorado Car Accident Law Firm When Seeking UM Benefits
After you have been involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, getting assistance from an experienced attorney can be crucial for pursuing fair financial compensation and benefits for your injuries and losses. An attorney can help with:
- Investigating the crash to recover evidence needed to show the other driver’s fault
- Advising you on options you may have to obtain financial compensation after an accident, including from coverages under your own insurance
- Filing insurance claims on your behalf
- Aggressively pursuing fair and full compensation of your expenses and losses
- Taking your claims to court, if necessary, including filing a car accident lawsuit against the at-fault driver or filing a bad faith claim against your insurance company if they deny or underpay your uninsured motorist claim
You should remember that insurance companies – including your own insurer – are not on your side. They benefit by paying you as little money as possible, even after you’ve purchased and paid premiums on UM coverage for years. An attorney will fight for the financial recovery you deserve after an accident with an uninsured driver.
Contact Our Colorado Law Firm Today
If you were injured in a car accident caused by an uninsured driver, call or contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation with our experienced Colorado car accident attorneys. The Wilhite Law Firm is here for you.
