Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist

Denver Lawyer Handling Uninsured Motorist Claims

What happens if you have been injured in a car accident and the negligent driver does not have insurance, or the driver's policy limits for bodily injury liability coverage are grossly inadequate to fully compensate you for serious injuries? Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage may provide compensation in excess of the at-fault driver's liability insurance. The Law Office of Jennifer L. Donaldson has been successful in recovering additional, adequate compensation for our injured clients.

Attorney Jennifer L. Donaldson has over 20 years of experience representing injured people in the Denver, Colorado area. She has thorough knowledge of Colorado's uninsured/underinsured motorist laws and how these laws apply to injured clients. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you.

Understanding Your Right to UM/UIM Coverage

Colorado's uninsured/underinsured motorist law (C.R.S. section 10-4-609) was recently revised to provide more protection to people injured in a motor vehicle accident. Effective January 1, 2008, the law provides an injured person more protections under their uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage.

• Insurance policies issued or renewed after January 1, 2008: When the at-fault driver's bodily injury policy limits are inadequate to cover the full extent of damages, injured drivers or passengers may recover the full policy limits under the underinsured driver's bodily injury insurance AND up to the full policy limits under available UM/UIM coverage.
• Insurance policies issued prior to January 1, 2008: When the at-fault driver's bodily injury policy limits are inadequate to cover the full extent of damages AND the UM/UIM policy limits exceed the at-fault driver's bodily injury policy limits, the injured person may recover additional compensation through their own policy. However, combined compensation (bodily injury coverage and UM/UIM coverage) may not exceed the total UM/UIM policy limits.

Protect Yourself and Your Family

An uninsured or underinsured motorist policy is one way you can protect yourself, should an accident occur in the future—this is especially true if you do not have health insurance. At the Law Office of Jennifer L. Donaldson, we strongly urge clients to avoid waiving uninsured motorist or underinsured motorist coverage. In addition, we urge clients to refrain from waiving or reducing UM/UIM coverage as a result of the new laws. If you have selected an umbrella insurance policy, it is critical to ensure the policy coverage includes uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.

Protect Your Right to Full Compensation

If you have been injured in an accident, you may be tempted to settle with the at-fault driver's insurance company. However, if not careful, you may jeopardize your right to recover additional compensation under your uninsured/underinsured motorist policy. It is important to consult with an experienced lawyer before you settle with the liability insurer or obtain written approval of the settlement from your uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance carrier before accepting any settlement offers.

Contact us to schedule your free initial consultation.