Car Accident Claims and Lost Wages
If you’ve been seriously injured in a car accident chances are you’ve missed some work as a result. This may be because you’ve had to undergo surgery or rehabilitation or just because you’ve been physically unable to work. In some instances, injuries from a car accident can affect your ability to work in the future. When either of these situations arises, you may be entitled to payment for lost wages.
Car Accident Injuries and Lost Income
In a claim against a negligent driver, you may be entitled to lost wages resulting from injuries you’ve sustained in a car accident. For example, if you’ve broken your leg and were forced to miss two months of work as a result, you may be entitled to recover any income you’ve lost. You may be entitled to recover the amount you would have earned had you been able to work. If you have to miss work due to doctors’ appointments or physical therapy as a result of your car accident injuries, you may be able to recover for those lost wages as well.
Proving lost wages related to injuries you sustained in a car accident is fairly straightforward. Recent pay stubs can be used to establish your income. If you are self-employed, then invoices from that time period may be used to establish what you have lost. You also may be able to recover for lost tips if you are able to establish the loss reliably.
Lost Earning Capacity
Sometimes you’ve been so severely injured in a car accident that you are unable to work. If a car accident has caused you a long-lasting and disabling injury, you may be able to recover payment for your loss of future earning capacity.
Proving lost earning capacity can be complicated as it requires some speculation about the future. Depending on your line of work and the severity of your injury it can be a difficult process. In some cases, economic and medical experts may be needed to establish the value of your lost earning capacity.
Contact a Tampa Car Accident Attorney
If you’ve incurred lost wages as the result of a car accident, you may need an experienced personal injury lawyer to help you through the claim process. At Abrahamson & Uiterwyk, we have the experience you need. Contact us online or call us at 800-538-4878 to set up your free consultation.