Settling for Loss of Wages

Car accidents come out of nowhere and if you get injured that you get in one, it can keep you from going to work and earning the money you would normally receive if it wasn’t for the injury. There are many reasons a person might not be able to work and earn money (which are based largely on past earnings) after being injured, including physical therapy sessions, being hospitalized, and lack of mobility. According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, lost wages can include:

• Lost wages for the period during which you do not work.
• Lost earning capacity if you sustain a long-term disability from the accident and cannot make as much money as you did before the accident.
• Lost opportunities, such as missing a job interview while you are recovering from the injury.

Generally, to recover your lost wages in a car accident case, you must make a request with your insurance, the other driver’s insurance company if they are at fault, or if the case is serious enough, file a lawsuit against the other driver. When you are submitting a claim, make sure you include detailed and accurate statements about your lost wages. When you calculate your lost wages, you’ll need to gather documents that can help prove your medical condition prevents you from working. You should get doctor’s note describing how much time you need to take off from work to recover from your injury. You should then provide copies of your recent pay-stubs or checks showing you salary. And depending on the status of your employment, you may need to submit your most recent tax return or W-2(s). The last thing you’ll need to do is get a letter from your employer and confirm your employment information. The DMV states that even if you have a non-salaried job with irregular hours or you work on commission, you can still calculate your lost wages.

You may need guidance from a personal injury attorney, like the ones at One Law Group in Beverly Hills, who can help guide you through the process of the claim. An attorney’s job is to advocate for you and help you get as much as possible from your claim. Car insurance companies don’t want to deal with a big payout and will do the most to limit that settlement amount. One Law Group in Beverly Hills is here to help you and our personal injury lawyers will use their experience to level the playing field against these insurance agencies, helping to increase your chance of receiving a fair settlement. Call One Law Group in Beverly Hills at (844) 626-1529.