Posted on Friday, July 12th, 2024 at 9:00 am
A car accident can be a life-altering event, affecting not only your physical health but also your financial stability. Learn how to claim lost wages after a car accident to lessen your financial burden.
If you got hurt in a car accident in Utah, knowing how to claim compensation for lost wages is crucial. Utah’s no-fault law and Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance play a part in this process. A seasoned Sandy, UT, car accident lawyer can explain everything.
Understanding Lost Wages from a Car Accident
PIP, a mandatory requirement in Utah, covers medical expenses and certain financial losses regardless of who caused the accident. This means that even if you weren’t at fault for the crash, your PIP policy will be the first source of compensation for your medical treatment and expenses. Your PIP policy covers you, as the driver of the car, your relatives who live with you, as well as any affected passengers or pedestrians.
PIP benefits can help cover lost income when you’re unable to work due to an accident. This coverage isn’t a complete replacement for your wages. The maximum payout is either $250 per week or 85% of your lost income (whichever is less) for up to 52 weeks.
Steps to Claim Lost Wages After a Car Accident
Your first step to claiming lost wages is to report the accident to the police, if you have not done so already, as well as your insurer. Failure to timely report the accident to your insurance provider could jeopardize your PIP coverage.
Next, collect evidence of your missing income. This could include:
- Pay stubs and tax returns to verify your earnings
- A doctor’s note confirming your inability to work due to accident-related injuries
- An employer’s letter stating your normal work hours, pay rate, and the days you missed
Once you have this info, you can submit a PIP claim with your insurance company. Include all the gathered documentation to support your lost wages claim, and be sure to fill out all required forms accurately to avoid delays.
In addition, keep detailed records of all correspondence with your insurance company. These could include dates and summaries of conversations, as well as copies of emails or letters sent and received. Regularly follow up with your insurance provider to check the status of your claim. This helps ensure that your insurance claim is being processed in a timely manner and allows you to provide any additional required information promptly.
Perhaps most importantly, consider consulting an attorney about your options. If someone else caused the accident, and you’ve suffered serious injuries or considerable medical expenses, you could file a lawsuit against that person. An experienced Utah car accident lawyer can pursue your claim, seeking the necessary funds for your financial well-being while you focus on recovery.
Handling Self-Employment or Irregular Income
Tackling a lost wage claim after a car accident can be particularly challenging for self-employed individuals or those with irregular income. Unlike traditional employees with consistent paychecks, self-employed individuals face unique hurdles when seeking compensation for lost income.
Accurate documentation is crucial. Obtain copies of the records of your income over time, such as tax returns, bank statements, invoices, and contracts. These documents help establish a clear picture of your typical earnings and the financial impact of your injury. Include any relevant business records that reflect your average income. You can also add any projects or contracts that you canceled due to your accident. Include copies of invoices for your work that clients have not yet paid and copies of any outstanding contracts that you canceled due to your injuries.
To calculate your lost income, estimate the average earnings you missed out on during your recovery period. This might require analyzing past earnings to determine a typical income range. If possible, provide evidence of scheduled work or contracts affected by your injury. Include any loss of potential future earnings if you lost your ability to work long-term or permanently.
You may need to project how long you’ll be unable to work or whether your earning capacity will be permanently reduced. Factors such as your age, occupation, and earning capacity factor into the equation. Expert testimony from vocational experts or economists may support your claim. They can also provide expert calculations that demonstrate your lost earning capacity.
Schedule a Free Case Review with an Experienced Utah Personal Injury Attorney
Were you injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault? If someone else injured you and you’re struggling with medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses, you deserve compensation. The experienced car accident attorneys at London Harker Injury Law in Sandy, UT, are here to fight for your rights. We’ll stand up to the insurance companies and pursue the full compensation you’re entitled to because of your injuries. Here’s what we will do:
- Assess the full extent of your lost wages, considering all potential sources of income you’ve missed due to your injuries. This includes regular wages, bonuses, overtime, and other employment benefits.
- Gather necessary evidence, including employment records, medical documents, and expert testimony, to substantiate your claim.
- Negotiate with insurers to minimize your risk of accepting a lowball offer and fight to recover lost wages and receive fair compensation.
- Guide you through the entire claims process by answering your questions, responding to your concerns, managing all paperwork and legal deadlines, and allowing you to concentrate on healing.
- Represent you in court if negotiations fail to yield an acceptable settlement offer, leveraging their legal knowledge and resources to fight for your rights and secure the compensation you deserve.
Call London Harker Injury Law today at 77CARCRASH or contact us online to discuss your personal injury accident claim with our experienced team of BYU Law graduates. Let us help you in pursuing the compensation and justice you deserve.
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