A:

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by someone else, you have a right, in Wisconsin and Illinois, to claim damages for loss of professional income during the time that you were unable to work. Loss-of-income claims start with determining the period during which you were unable to work. Then, the parties should agree on what your working time is worth. For salaried employees, this would require information that your employer's HR department can supply very easily. The problem is more complicated if you are an independent contractor or self-employed. Did you lose a valuable deal because of the crash? Did your client postpone an order, which may never materialize? How much is your time worth, anyway? What evidence can you provide?

Other questions arise: What about vacation time, fringe benefits and perks, the use of a company car, lost opportunities?

Many of these questions require the advice of an experienced personal injury lawyer to make sure you are not short-changed when negotiating a settlement.