Lost Wages in Victorville Car Accident Claims: What You Need to Know
Victims of auto accidents often miss work because their injuries prevent them from doing their daily activities. Did you know that you can receive compensation for your lost wages through car accident claims?
If you sustained injuries in an accident and you were unable to work, you may be entitled to compensation for your lost wages. Continue reading below to learn more about claiming lost wages in an accident and who you can reach out to for more information.
Claiming Damages in Car Accident Claims
When you are a victim of an auto accident with another driver, you have the right to claim different damages from the accident. This includes any property damage caused to your vehicle, medical expenses, and lost wages.
For example, if you suffered an injury from an accident that prevented you from doing your job, you can recover the wages you would have received if you weren’t injured and were able to still work.
If you suffer from emotional trauma or other psychological injuries that prevent you from doing your job, you can also claim those lost wages if the injury is severe enough.
How to File a Car Accident Claim
It is best to speak with a car accident attorney before you file a personal injury claim. Your car accident lawyer will handle speaking with the insurance company. They also handle providing them with the information needed to move the claim along.
Allowing your attorney to handle the claims process on your behalf also gives you peace of mind knowing that you have an advocate on your side protecting your interests. Your lawyer will also handle providing information for your lost wages.
Submit Evidence
The at-fault driver’s insurance company will only accept liability if you provide them with evidence that proves their driver’s responsibility in the accident. To prove liability, you must give the other insurance company evidence, such as a police report, witness statements, or some form of surveillance that shows what happened in the accident.
Gathering this type of information on your own may prove to be tedious, especially if you are hurt and trying to heal from your car accident injuries. Instead, it is best to provide whatever information you have to your lawyer, and they will handle the rest.
How to Prove Lost Wages
You can provide the insurance company with copies of your pay stubs to prove lost wages in an auto accident. If you provide the insurance company with your pay stubs, make sure you give them a copy of your pay stubs before and after the accident so they can note the difference.
Additional documents you can provide to the insurance company:
- Wage verification
- W-2s from the previous tax year
In addition to sending in these documents, make sure you also include a note from your doctor showing you’ve missed work due to an accident-related injury. Without this, the insurance company may not pay for your lost wages.
Claiming Lost Wages for Self-Employed Individuals
If you’re self-employed, it may be a bit harder to prove lost wages unless you’re able to provide clear proof of wages lost. If you have an ongoing contract that pays you monthly or weekly that you’re unable to complete due to your injury, make sure you provide paperwork that proves that.
Other types of lost income for self-employed people:
- Lost of business opportunities
- Lost goodwill with established clients
If you have copies of your recent invoices, you can use them to show how much you’d make from each client. Depending on the relationship between you and your clients, you can also ask them to create a statement that details your working relationship with them. Make sure they include information about the paid work hours missed after your accident.
Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
To ensure you receive all the compensation you deserve for an auto accident, it is best to partner with a reputable car accident lawyer. Your lawyer can help you claim your lost wages as well. If there is any other type of damage available for you to claim from your incident, your attorney can help with that.
Helps You Negotiate the Best Settlement
Your attorney can also help you negotiate compensation for your injuries. As mentioned earlier, there are other damages you can claim in an accident.
For example, you can claim medical expenses, pain and suffering, and property damage. Sometimes it is hard to calculate all your damages in an accident, so it is best to leave that job to your attorney to handle on your behalf.
Not only will your lawyer help you get the compensation you deserve for your accident, but they will also handle the entire claims process for you. This includes speaking with the insurance adjuster and negotiating the right settlement for your car accident case.
Help Collecting Lost Wages
If you or someone you love sustained injuries in an accident that put you out of work for some time, you may be entitled to receiving compensation for your lost wages. Calculating your lost wages on your own can be tedious, especially if you aren’t sure what documents you need to provide to the insurance company.
Contact us if you need help with car accident claims and getting the compensation you need for your lost wages. We are here to answer any questions or concerns you may have about the car accident case process.
