Can I Recover Lost Pay Due to an Auto Accident?

Lost pay is a very loose term which describes loss of wages, loss of potential earnings, or loss of opportunities. The three scenarios are considered separately when it comes to making an insurance claim. If your insurance policy covers loss of wages, it may not necessarily cover all three scenarios. Also, you will need to provide sufficient evidence to prove that your earning potential was directly impacted due to injuries suffered as a result of an auto accident. The good news is, so long as you have a case to argue, there are a number of ways in which you can recover lost pay due to an auto accident.

Insurance Claims

If you were in an auto accident that wasn’t your fault, you can recover lost wages from the at-fault driver. Bodily injury liability insurance, depending on the policy limit, may cover your entire lost earnings for the period you are out of work. If you have uninsured motorist coverage, you can use it in cases where the other driver is uninsured or cannot provide sufficient coverage for your loss of earnings. In either case, you will still need to support yourself while the insurance claim is being processed.

Medical Evidence

Medical evidence is crucial in ensuring that your claim is processed as quickly as possible. Your inability to work, both in your current position and future opportunities, must be supported with compelling evidence. Medical reports should not only contain details of your injuries, they should also outline any injuries that restrict your ability to carry out particular functions which would result in you losing earnings.

Employer Evidence

Your employer can play a large part in guaranteeing that you receive fair compensation for your loss of earnings. The employer can help you calculate how much you would have earned, regardless of whether you receive a set wage or work on commission. If the employer facilitates a progression plan as part of your employment, your achievements and progress can be used as reasonable evidence that your future opportunities have been affected by your injuries.

Emergency Services Records

Details recorded by emergency service personnel can paint a picture of how an accident could have adversely affected your ability to work. Depending on the work that you do, trauma resulting from an auto accident may also help your case. You will find it difficult to obtain emergency service reports, so hiring a personal injury attorney may be the way to go.

After an auto accident, you will incur a number of medical and legal costs. Reach out to Edwards & Patterson Law here if you need help presenting a case for lost earnings. We can help you calculate your projected earnings, so that all the hard work you put into building a career is not stolen away from you.