Lost Wages: An additional cost of motor vehicle accidents
Most people who are injured in an motor vehicle accident are aware of the costs associated with medical treatment. But an additional cost that is not always considered is lost wages as result of the injury. When a person sustains an injury they may encounter lost wages because they were unable to work during their recovery period. If an injury results in a permanent disability, a person might experience a loss of earning capacity because of a change in their ability to perform work related tasks. Others might experience a loss of opportunity for income if their injuries prevent them from attending job interviews.
So what are your options to recover the costs of these lost wages? The answer lies primarily in the type of insurance coverage you and the at fault party carry. Typically, if the motorist at responsible for the accident has liability bodily injury coverage, you can make a claim that will cover lost wages. If you are injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver, you can file a claim under your own uninsured/underinsured policy. You can also file a claim if you have Personal Injury Protection coverage. This policy covers lost wages up to a policy limit even if you are the driver at fault. That being said, check your policies carefully because some policies have lost wages exclusions and will not cover the costs.
The process of filing a claim to recoup lost wages can be arduous. You need documentation including letters from a physician and your employer as well as a police report. If you are self-employed or don’t have a regular salary, there is a process to help calculate lost wages.
For general information about lost wages and how to determine eligibility for a lost wages claim, go to dmv.org.
If you want to feel confident that you have filed a solid claim and are receiving the best possible return on that claim, we recommend that you involve a personal injury attorney. We have experience walking you through the entire process and ensuring that you get the best possible results.
Contact our office for a FREE consultation.