A no-fault car accident can disrupt your life in many ways, especially if your injuries prevent you from working. While medical bills and vehicle repairs are obvious financial burdens, the loss of income due to missed work can put you in a difficult financial position. Fortunately, no-fault insurance laws are designed to provide compensation for lost wages after an accident.
However, recovering lost wages is not always as simple as filing a claim. Insurance companies may delay or deny payments, and you’ll need to provide clear evidence of your lost income. We’ll explain how to recover lost wages after a no-fault car accident, what types of evidence you’ll need, and how a Wright Gray Harris attorney can help you maximize your claim.
Can You Recover Lost Wages After a No-Fault Car Accident?
Yes, you can recover lost wages after a no-fault car accident. No-fault insurance is designed to provide immediate financial support for accident victims, regardless of who caused the crash. This includes compensation for:
- Missed Wages: The money you would have earned if you had been able to work.
- Future Lost Wages: If your injuries prevent you from working in the future, you may be entitled to compensation for future lost income.
- Lost Earning Capacity: If you can no longer perform the same job you did before the accident, you can seek compensation for your reduced earning capacity.
While no-fault insurance typically covers lost wages, the process for getting paid can be complex. Insurance companies often request detailed documentation, and if you make a mistake in your claim, your payment could be delayed or denied.
How to Recover Lost Wages After a No-Fault Car Accident
1. File a No-Fault Insurance Claim
The first step to recovering lost wages is to file a claim with your insurance company under your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. PIP is required in most no-fault states and is designed to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and other accident-related costs, regardless of who caused the accident.
When you file your claim, be sure to include information about your lost wages. You’ll need to provide the insurer with proof of the days you missed from work, how much you typically earn, and documentation from your employer. This information will be used to calculate the amount of lost wages you’re entitled to.
2. Gather Proof of Your Employment and Income
To prove your lost wages, you’ll need to show that you were employed at the time of the accident and how much money you were making. Here’s how to gather the necessary evidence:
- Pay Stubs: These show your hourly rate, salary, and hours worked before the accident.
- Tax Returns: If you’re self-employed, your tax returns can prove your income.
- Direct Deposit Records: If you receive direct deposit payments, your bank records can serve as proof of your earnings.
- Letter From Your Employer: Your employer can provide a letter stating how many days you missed, your rate of pay, and your typical work schedule.
If you’re self-employed, you may face more challenges in proving your lost wages. In this case, you’ll need to submit tax returns, profit-and-loss statements, and client invoices to show the income you would have earned if not for the accident.
3. Document the Time You Missed From Work
Your insurance company will want to see evidence of how many days or weeks you were unable to work. This can be tricky if you’re not tracking your time carefully, but the following documents can help you prove your missed work:
- Doctor’s Notes and Medical Records: If your doctor advises you to take time off work to recover, be sure to keep copies of those notes. They prove that your injuries prevented you from working.
- Work Schedules and Timecards: If you clock in and out of work, you can use your timecards to prove the dates you missed.
- Emails and Communications With Your Employer: If you notify your employer about your injury via email or text, keep copies of those messages as evidence of your missed workdays.
If you have difficulty tracking your time off, a Wright Gray Harris attorney can help you organize and present your evidence in a way that strengthens your claim.
4. Submit a Wage Verification Form
Many insurance companies require a wage verification form as part of your lost wage claim. This form must be filled out by your employer and returned to the insurance company. It confirms your employment status, rate of pay, and the number of days you missed.
Here’s how to handle the wage verification process:
- Request the Form From Your Insurance Company: Contact your insurance company to obtain the wage verification form.
- Provide the Form to Your Employer: Give the form to your employer and ask them to fill it out. They will be asked to provide information about your job, pay, and work schedule.
- Submit the Form to Your Insurer: Once the form is completed, submit it to the insurance company along with your pay stubs, doctor’s notes, and any other supporting documentation.
If your employer is uncooperative or delays filling out the form, a Wright Gray Harris attorney can contact them on your behalf and ensure the process moves forward.
5. Consult With a Wright Gray Harris Attorney
If your claim for lost wages is denied or delayed, or if you’re unsure how to complete the paperwork, a Wright Gray Harris attorney can step in to protect your rights. Insurance companies often try to reduce payments by claiming you didn’t provide enough documentation, but an attorney can gather the evidence you need to prove your claim.
Here’s how we can help:
- Gather and Submit Evidence: We’ll help you collect pay stubs, medical records, and other proof of lost wages.
- File Your Claim Correctly: We’ll ensure that all forms are properly completed and submitted on time.
- Challenge Denials and Delays: If your claim is denied or delayed, we’ll push back against the insurance company and demand payment.
- Negotiate for a Fair Settlement: If the insurance company offers a low payout, we’ll negotiate for the full amount you’re owed.
With a Wright Gray Harris attorney on your side, you won’t have to face the insurance company alone.
What if You’re Self-Employed or Work as a Freelancer?
Recovering lost wages is more challenging if you’re self-employed, a freelancer, or a gig worker. Unlike traditional employees, you don’t have an employer who can verify your wages. But you can still prove your lost income using other forms of documentation, such as:
- Tax Returns: Show your reported earnings from previous years.
- Invoices and Contracts: Show the payments you would have received for completed work.
- Bank Statements: Use your bank deposits to show your regular flow of income.
- Profit-and-Loss Statements: If you track your earnings and expenses as part of your business, submit these records as proof of lost income.
If you’re self-employed, it’s wise to work with a Wright Gray Harris attorney to ensure you provide strong evidence of your lost wages.
What Types of Compensation Can You Recover for Lost Wages?
When you recover lost wages after a no-fault car accident, you can seek compensation for a variety of financial losses. Here’s what you may be entitled to:
- Past Lost Wages: The wages you missed while recovering from your injuries.
- Future Lost Wages: If your injuries will prevent you from working in the future, you can seek compensation for future earnings.
- Lost Earning Capacity: If you’re unable to return to your previous job or work at the same capacity, you may be entitled to compensation for reduced earning potential.
- Lost Benefits: If you missed out on employee benefits like bonuses, commissions, or promotions, you can seek compensation for those losses.
Contact Wright Gray Harris
If you’ve been injured in a no-fault car accident and you’ve missed time from work, you have the right to recover compensation for your lost wages. But dealing with insurance companies can be difficult, especially if you’re unsure how to prove your claim.
At Wright Gray Harris, our experienced car accident attorneys will handle every aspect of your lost wage claim. We’ll collect evidence, negotiate with the insurance company, and ensure you receive the full amount you’re entitled to.
Call Wright Gray Harris today for a free consultation. We’ll explain your rights, review your case, and help you recover the lost wages you deserve.