Bifurcation In UIM Benefits Suit Not Warranted, Federal Magistrate Judge Says

( February 18, 2026, 10:55 AM EST) -- LAS CRUCES, N.M. — A New Mexico federal magistrate judge denied an auto insurer’s motion to bifurcate an insured’s claim seeking underinsured motorist (UIM) benefits from the insured’s extracontractual claims after determining that the extracontractual claims are not contingent on the success of the UIM benefits claim....