Getting into a car accident is stressful, but your blood pressure will likely go up even higher if you discover the at-fault driver is uninsured. You’ve been responsible and have maintained insurance, so you might be frustrated to find out someone else hasn’t done the same. Rather than getting mad about the situation, get informed so you know what your legal options are. Contact our experienced personal injury attorneys at Dulin McQuinn Young today for a free consultation.
Mandatory Auto Insurance
Like most states, Colorado requires all drivers to maintain minimum levels of liability insurance that cover the damages they cause other people due to their negligence. The minimum amounts of liability insurance in Colorado are:
- $25,000 per person for bodily injury
- $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $15,000 for property damage
Despite the legal requirement to have this insurance, many drivers choose to drive illegally without it. In fact, Colorado consistently ranks among the top 10 states with the highest percentage of uninsured motorists.
What Is Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage?
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage pays for your damages if the at-fault driver has no insurance or you are involved in a hit-and-run accident and you can’t locate the driver. Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage pays for the gap between the at-fault driver’s liability insurance and your damages, up to your policy limits.
Insurance companies in Colorado are required to offer UM/UIM insurance when you purchase an auto insurance policy, but you can reject it in writing if you don’t want it. Colorado insurers must also offer at least $5,000 in Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage to help cover your medical expenses after a car crash.
UM and UIM insurance is part of your own insurance, so you file a claim with your own insurance provider. Learn more about how uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance works.
What to Do After a Car Crash with an Uninsured Driver
If you’ve been involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, follow these steps:
- Try to stay calm and get to a safe location.
- Call the police to report the accident.
- Ask for the driver’s information, including their name, phone number, and driver’s license number.
- Document the vehicles, traffic signs and signals, the accident scene, skid marks, and your injuries.
- Collect the names and contact information for any witnesses.
- Seek medical attention immediately.
- Don’t admit fault or apologize for the accident as doing so can imply you are legally responsible for the damages.
- Request a copy of the police report once it is finished.
- Review your uninsured motorist coverage and other options for covering your accident losses.
- Notify your insurance company of the accident.
- Contact an experienced car accident lawyer for legal advice and representation.
Call Dulin McQuinn Young for a Free Consultation
Even when you are dealing with your own insurance company, you need an experienced lawyer on your side who can protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve instead of the minimum amount the insurance company will try to get away with paying you. Take advantage of a free consultation by contacting Dulin McQuinn Young today.