A car accident lawyer can help you recover compensation for lost wages from all income sources after a collision. They will collect paycheck stubs, direct deposit receipts, tax records, and other proof of income. Whether you are a full or part-time employee, work for yourself, or earn your living unconventionally, lost wages from a car accident are recoverable.
If your lost wages include gig economy, consultancy, and freelance income, they can be hard to document and recover on your own. A lawyer at a personal injury law firm can even help you prove the value of hard-to-track income. Lost wages are part of a larger compensation package for which your lawyer will help you negotiate a favorable settlement.
The At-Fault Driver’s Negligence Allows You to Pursue Compensation
You must prove they acted negligently to request lost wages and other compensation from the driver who caused the accident. A car accident lawyer can explain the four legal components of a negligence case, which are the following:
- Duty of care: The at-fault driver owed you a duty of reasonable care to drive according to the rules of the road.
- Breach of duty: The driver failed to meet their obligation by driving recklessly or carelessly, thereby breaching their duty of care.
- Causation: Their actions injured you, and the accident would not have occurred if it weren’t for the at-fault driver’s actions.
- Damages: The accident and your subsequent injuries resulted in compensatory expenses and losses.
Proving these elements is an involved legal task. Your legal team will handle it for you while you concentrate on feeling better.
How Your Lawyer Proves the Elements of Negligence
Proving the elements of negligence and your right to compensation is the key to recovering damages. To accomplish this for you, your lawyer will compile evidence such as:
- The police report, which documents the accident’s causes and contributing factors, and contains notes and diagrams from the investigating officer
- Medical records and bills that establish the cause, extent, and ongoing and anticipated costs of your injuries
- Proof of income, including employment history, income records, and other proof of lost wages
- Dashcam, security, surveillance, and smartphone photos and images from before, during, and after the accident
- Statements from lay accident witnesses and testimonials from medical, collision, and financial experts
Neither you nor your family has to track down and compile the evidence you need to prove your case. A lawyer can represent and handle the task of building your case file.
For a free legal consultation, call,
(888) 585-2188
Lost Wages and Other Recoverable Damage After a Car Accident
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cites the annual costs of car accidents at about $75 million, including lost productivity. When you cannot work after a car accident, a lawyer will recover your lost wages, demanding any of the following:
- Current and future medical bills
- Treatment-related travel expenses
- In-home medical and domestic aid
- Property damage or total loss
- Diminished property value
- Physical disability or disfigurement
- Ongoing physical pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional anguish
- Impaired quality of life
Your car accident attorney will collect documents, bills, and receipts that prove the monetary value of your recoverable damages. This critical step avoids a speedy but insufficient settlement that does not consider all expenses and losses. It also avoids having your damages inadvertently undervalued or underpaid.
Time Limits for Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit
The state where your accident occurred will place a time limit on filing your potential lawsuit. While most cases will settle out of court, your lawyer will still file your lawsuit to protect your right to go to court, if necessary. An expired statute of limitations (filing deadline) could mean:
- The at-fault driver and their insurance company will refuse to negotiate further
- The courts in your state will bar you from filing your lawsuit
- You will unintentionally forfeit the ability to compel appropriate financial compensation
With sufficient notice from you, the law firm representing you can help you meet the filing deadline and avoid these costly consequences. That means the sooner you review your case with a local law firm, the better. Early intervention also gives them time to interview witnesses while their memories are vivid and thoroughly investigate your case.
Additional Benefits of Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer
Building a strong compensation case after a car accident is a huge undertaking. It can also involve a myriad of legal issues and nuances. The law firm that takes on your case will handle all these details for you. To build a robust case, they will:
- Conduct an independent investigation
- Assess the comprehensive value of your case
- Prove the at-fault driver’s negligence
- Canvass for photos and video footage
- Speak with interested parties on your behalf
- Complete and submit insurance claim forms
- Reply to all legal and insurance questions
Your lawyer will also provide you with ongoing updates as your case develops and progresses.
Let Your Lawyer Navigate the Negotiation Process for You
Negotiating a settlement after a car accident can be complicated. The insurance company will require proof of their policyholder’s liability before compensating you. A personal injury lawyer will build a robust case file that proves the at-fault driver’s negligence and financial responsibility.
Your lawyer will field monetary offers and assess the feasibility of each. They will tackle the back-and-forth rounds of negotiations and advise you of the sufficiency of each offer. The final decision is yours to make, but your lawyer will guide you toward a well-informed decision and the best financial outcome for you.
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Let Jenner Law Fight for You – We Can Seek Your Compensation for Lost Wages
If a negligent driver injured you or someone you love, a car accident lawyer with Jenner Law can pursue compensation for your lost wages. We can also demand additional recoverable damages on your behalf.
You can learn more about how we’ll seek your compensation by contacting our case review team for a free consultation.
Call or text (888) 585-2188 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form