If you suffered an injury after a car accident and are unable to work, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your lost wages. The financial stress that an accident has on a family cannot be predicted, and those involved in an accident are not prepared for the hardship they may suffer. With credit card and medical bills piling up and loans left to pay, the expenses can often be unmanageable, and bankruptcy may result in the future. There are ways to recoup financially and get compensated for the loss of income you are experiencing after an accident. Consulting with an experienced car accident attorney can lead you in the right direction and protect your legal rights so you get the compensation you deserve.
Compensation for Lost Income
In order to receive compensation for lost income that is due to being involved in a car accident, you can file a lost wages claim. To file a claim, consult with an attorney for guidance. Keep in mind that most insurance companies will not offer lost income compensation as part of a settlement. Income that you may be able to recover includes:
- Lost wages
- Lost benefits
- Lost income
You or your attorney can request compensation for lost income from the insurance provider. In order to be compensated for lost wages, you have two options:
- File a lost wages claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company
- File a claim based on your own personal injury protection (PIP) coverage
In order to file a claim for lost income, you will need to provide the following documentation:
- Proof of the accident. Proof that the accident happened can be provided by obtaining a copy of the police report filed from the accident.
- Proof of injury. Proof of the injuries will be needed and can be obtained through medical records or a letter from your physician. In addition, photographs of your injuries and a medical form may need to be provided as well.
- Documentation of lost wages and income. You can show documentation of lost wages and income through a letter from your employer that confirms the time you missed at work and how much income you lost because of your injury. You may also need to provide check stubs, copies of your last year’s tax return, and other documentation requested by the car insurance company.
If you are self-employed, it can be more difficult to provide proof of lost income. You may need to use the following to prove that you lost income due to a car accident:
- Contracts or work orders that are incomplete due to your injuries
- Proof of appointments that were canceled due to your accident and injuries
- Past invoices
- Previous state and federal tax returns
- 1099s or other types of tax forms
- Bank statements
Why Hire an Attorney
If you hire an attorney, you will not need to talk or negotiate with insurance companies. They may not offer compensation for your lost income, or you may not be aware that that is an option. Your attorney will negotiate with insurance adjusters on your behalf and handle all communication so that your legal rights stay protected throughout the claim process.
Lost wages are usually compensated at a rate of 80 to 85 percent. If your injury has left you permanently disabled and you are unable to return to work, you may also be compensated for your lost earning potential. Your attorney can calculate and determine the amount of income you can recover as part of the claim.
Once a settlement has been reached, you may not be able to recover additional compensation for your lost income. If you have questions about filing a lost income claim as part of a car accident settlement, contact the attorneys at Hupy & Abraham for a free, no-obligation consultation. We go above and beyond the call of duty to help our clients get the compensation they deserve. We have collected over $1 Billion for our injury clients and we do not get paid unless we win your case. To set up a confidential appointment in any of our 11 Midwest law offices located throughout Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois, you can fill out our convenient contact form online or call us at 1-800-800-5678.
|
Related Links: |
