What Happens if an Uninsured Driver Hits My Car in Colorado?

Being hit by another driver in Colorado is stressful under any circumstances. When you discover the driver has no insurance, the stress quickly escalates into fear about how you will pay for medical treatment, repair bills, or time away from work. You may even wonder if you will ever be compensated at all.

The reality is that uninsured drivers are a problem across Colorado, and insurance companies are rarely eager to pay more than they have to. That leaves you in a difficult position. The good news is that you still have options. Colorado law, your own policy, and even other insurance sources may provide coverage. But insurance companies will not point these out to you, and they often use tactics designed to minimize payouts.

It’s no surprise that many people in this situation ask, “what happens if an uninsured driver hits my car” in Colorado? The answer often depends on uncovering every possible source of coverage.

Colorado Insurance Requirements

To understand what options may be available after an uninsured driver hits your car, it helps to first look at what Colorado law requires every driver to carry, and why those limits are often not enough in serious car accident cases.

Colorado requires every driver to carry liability insurance. At a minimum, policies must include:

• $25,000 for bodily injury or death to one person
• $50,000 for bodily injury or death to multiple people in one accident
• $15,000 for property damage

Despite these requirements, uninsured drivers remain a reality. And even when coverage exists, it may not be enough to pay for serious injuries. That is why many drivers in Colorado Springs purchase uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage for added protection.

How Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage Works

In Colorado, uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is optional, but it is automatically included in your auto policy unless you reject it in writing. Many drivers don’t realize they already have this protection until they need it.

UM/UIM coverage steps in when you are not at fault but the other driver cannot pay:

• Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage pays for your bodily injury damages if you are hit by a driver who has no insurance at all or in a hit-and-run crash.
• Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage applies when the at-fault driver has insurance, but their liability limits are too low to cover the full amount of your losses. In that case, your UIM coverage can make up the difference between what their policy pays and what you are legally eligible to recover.

With an estimated 15–20% of Colorado drivers on the road without insurance, this type of coverage can make the difference between struggling with unpaid bills and having a path forward after a serious accident.

Other Coverage Options That May Apply

Beyond UM/UIM coverage, other policies may also provide relief after a motor vehicle accident. These sources of coverage are not always obvious, but they can make the difference between partial and proper compensation:

• Owner vs. Driver: If the driver was not the vehicle owner, the owner’s insurance may cover the accident in addition to the driver’s policy.
• Umbrella or Excess Policies: Some individuals and businesses carry umbrella insurance that extends coverage once the primary policy limits are reached.
• Employer Coverage: If the at-fault driver was on the job or driving a company vehicle, the employer’s commercial policy may apply.
• Household UM/UIM Coverage: In certain cases, policies held by family members in the same household can extend to cover the accident.
• Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay): Colorado insurers must offer at least $5,000 of MedPay. It covers immediate medical treatment for you and your passengers, regardless of fault, and is often available for ER visits, follow-up care, or therapy.
• Collision Coverage: This part of your own auto policy pays for repairs to your vehicle, minus your deductible, even if the uninsured driver caused the crash.
• Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD): Some policies include this optional coverage, which pays for your vehicle’s damage if an uninsured driver is at fault.

In addition, your personal health insurance may cover medical expenses as a fallback, though it may later seek reimbursement from a settlement. In rare cases involving reckless or criminal conduct, Colorado’s Crime Victim Compensation Fund can also provide limited support.

Even if you discover extra coverage, insurance companies often respond by disputing your injuries, questioning fault, or delaying payment. That is when legal action may become necessary.

Why Legal Action May Be Necessary

Identifying coverage is only the beginning. Insurance companies often refuse to pay what they owe without being challenged. To recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term needs, you may need to take legal action and file a personal injury case.

To succeed, your legal team must build a case that shows how the accident affected your life. That requires gathering proof that ties the crash to your injuries and demonstrates how much financial harm you suffered. This often involves:

• Police reports and witness statements
• Medical records, bills, and documentation from medical professionals
• Proof of lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Expert medical testimony when future medical expenses are expected

With this evidence plus knowledge of Colorado law, your Colorado Springs personal injury lawyer can counter the tactics insurance companies use to delay or deny claims and work toward a fair settlement — or take your case to trial if needed.

How Colorado’s Comparative Negligence Rule Affects Compensation

Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If you are less than 50 percent at fault for a car accident, you can still recover damages, but your potential compensation would be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you suffered $100,000 in damages but were found 20 percent at fault, your potential recovery would be reduced to $80,000.

This rule applies to most personal injury claims in Colorado, including car accident cases. It makes a thorough investigation and strong legal representation even more important when the other driver is uninsured or underinsured.

How an Uninsured Driver Crash Can Affect You

When you are hit by an uninsured driver, the effects go far beyond fixing your car. You may face months of medical treatment, mounting bills, and time away from work. Without the right coverage and legal action, these costs can overwhelm you and your family.

A successful personal injury case can provide compensation for:

• Emergency care and ongoing medical treatment
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Lost wages and reduced earning ability
• Future medical expenses related to maximum medical improvement
• Support in cases of catastrophic injuries or wrongful death

By pursuing each available policy and building a strong case, car wreck attorneys can work to turn financial uncertainty into resources for your recovery.

Get Legal Help After an Uninsured Driver Hits Your Car

Getting hit by an uninsured driver in Colorado Springs does not have to leave you without options and overwhelming bills and stress. For nearly 30 years, Heuser & Heuser has fought for Southern Colorado families by uncovering every available insurance option and pursuing compensation for medical costs, lost income, and long-term recovery. Our Colorado Springs legal team is ready to work for you, whether your accident involved a car, a truck, or a drunk driver.

You found this blog because you searched online for “auto accident attorneys near me” after an uninsured driver hit your car. Now is the time to act. Call (719) 520-9909(719) 520-9909 or complete our confidential online form to schedule your free case evaluation. There is no fee unless we win.

Southern Colorado Locals Committed to Providing Clear Guidance to Pursue Better Health and Fair Compensation.

http://heuserlaw.com/

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The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country, or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.

Heuser & Heuser, L.L.P.
625 North Cascade Ave, Suite 300
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
(719) 520-9909(719) 520-9909
http://heuserlaw.com/