Car accidents occur all the time in Florida. If you have been injured in a crash, you may be out of work and suffer lost wages for a period of time. While recovering from catastrophic injuries, you will have to prove lost wages as a result of your vehicle accident. It’s important to know how to do this and what to expect.
What Are Lost Wages?
Lost wages refer to the salary you would have earned from your job if you had been able to continue working. When you have suffered catastrophic injuries after a car accident, it can be devastating and debilitating, forcing you to miss time off from work. You need to seek extensive medical treatment and ongoing care as well as recover from your injuries.
When you file a claim with your insurance company, you are able to recover compensation for your lost wages. However, it’s important to note that lost earning capacity and lost compensation are two different things, but you may be able to recover the damages for both.
How Can You Submit a Lost Wages Claim?
If you have suffered catastrophic injuries after being in a car accident, you will want to make a claim for lost wages. You will have to file a claim with your auto insurance company. While you are seeking medical treatment, you may want to wait until your condition has improved and stabilized before you file.
Understanding the terms of your insurance policy is important. You should also know which types of damages you can recover depending on your coverage. However, the following are often included in auto insurance policies:
- Liability bodily injury: If another driver caused the accident that resulted in your injury, you can submit a claim with their liability bodily injury coverage.
- Uninsured or underinsured motorist: A driver who lacks insurance or has insufficient coverage, or who flees the scene of the accident can complicate things. This is where uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage comes in, as you can file against your own coverage.
- Personal injury protection or PIP: PIP can cover you for lost wages through your insurance policy.
How Can You Prove Lost Wages?
You need certain documentation in order to prove that your catastrophic injuries resulted in lost wages. The following should be included with your claim:
- Doctor’s note: A note from your doctor that details your injuries and recommends taking time off from work is good evidence.
- Paystubs or similar documents: Your most recent pay stubs or tax returns from the previous year can be included as evidence for your claim. If you’re self-employed, you can submit previous tax returns and invoices.
- Letter from employer: A letter from your employer confirming that you’ve missed time from work due to your injuries can serve as important evidence as well. It should include the days you missed, your pay, and the number of hours you normally work.
When you have the right evidence to back up your claim, you will have a better chance at recovering the lost wages you’re due. Contact Burnett Law, P.A. for expert assistance with your claim today.
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