What to Do If You’re in an Accident with an Uninsured Motorist in Colorado

Like almost every state, Colorado requires motorists to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance on their vehicles. The minimum coverage required is $25,000 for bodily injury per person (up to $50,000 per accident) and $15,000 in property damage per accident.

However, not everyone follows this requirement. In fact, an estimated 16.3% of Colorado motorists are uninsured.  If you’ve been in an accident with an uninsured motorist in Colorado, it can be extremely stressful, and you’re probably wondering what options you have.

Do Everything You Normally Would After an Accident

Even if the other driver doesn’t have insurance, you should still follow some good practices after an accident.

• Document Everything: At the scene of the accident (if you are able), you should take photos and talk to witnesses. Make sure to get contact information from everyone. When talking to your insurance company, take notes on the conversation—dates, names, and key details. Keep all records from your healthcare providers.
• Seek Treatment for Your Injuries: It may sound obvious, but be sure to see a medical professional for treatment when warranted. Beyond simply caring for your health, it’s important to maintain a paper trail for your injuries.
• Don’t Be Pressured into Signing Anything: If you’re in an accident with an uninsured motorist, your insurance company may want to settle the claim quickly. Don’t sign anything you don’t understand, make sure your injuries are fully treated, and talk to an attorney if you’re unsure.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Colorado insurance companies must offer coverage for uninsured and underinsured motorists (UM/UIM). Consumers can reject this coverage, but this must be in writing. UM/UIM coverage is relatively cheap, so it’s always best to keep it on your policy if you can afford it.

Your life will be much easier if you have UM/UIM coverage. The coverage limits should match the limits of your liability coverage. This means you will have coverage for at least $25,000 in bodily injury per person (up to $50,000 per accident) and $15,000 in property damage. The only difference is that instead of dealing with the other driver’s insurance company, you must file a claim with your insurer.

Can You Sue an Uninsured Motorist?

Sue them? Yes! Collect money? Probably not.

Lack of insurance doesn’t change that the other party is legally responsible for your injuries. However, as the saying goes, you can’t get blood from a stone. Unless you happen to have been hit by the world’s only millionaire without insurance coverage, likely, the other motorist doesn’t have insurance because they don’t have any money. Therefore, having a judgment against them may be worth little more than the paper it’s printed on.

Get Help with Your Claim

If you’ve been injured in an accident with an uninsured motorist, you may still have options to recover the money you’re owed. Just be aware that the situation may put you in an adversarial position with your insurance company, meaning they will seek to settle your case for as little as possible.

Having help from an experienced personal injury attorney will help you maximize your financial recovery and make the process much less stressful. Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation with someone from our team.