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Lost Wages & Claims from a Car Accident

If you were in a serious enough car accident, it could result in car accident wage loss. This occurs if you experienced an injury that prevented you from being able to go to work. If an injury limited your ability to work (thereby hurting your income opportunities), then you should be able to recover the potential wages you’ve lost as part of a car accident lawsuit against the party at fault.

Car Accident Injuries That Can Result in Lost Earning Capacity

If you broke a leg or an arm in a car accident and you work a job that requires manual labor, then it’s obvious that you won’t be able to work until you’re healed. If this happens, then you’re entitled to recover the wages that you’ve lost as a result of such an injury.

One thing to keep in mind is that not all injuries are physical. For example, psychological injuries can prevent you from being able to work as well. If you have to commute to work by driving every day and are suffering from PTSD, this could prevent you from being able to go to work. In a case like this, there’s a good chance you will be able to recover lost wages as well.

Additionally, even if you are able to continue working, you could still be entitled to damages as a result of a lost earning capacity if your injuries are preventing you from securing a higher paying job. Besides physical injuries, some of the disabilities that can result in lost earning capacity often include chronic pain and the loss of endurance and stamina.

Last, but not least, if a car accident made a pre-existing injury worse, then it will still count towards having affected your ability to earn income and will be taken into consideration when determining the damages you are owed should a car accident lawsuit go your way (which occurs if the court rules in your favor or the defendant settles).

Proving Lost Earning Capacity

In order to prove that you’ve lost wages as a result of a car accident, you will need to prove that you were employed and that you were making money. You can do this by simply submitting your most recent paycheck. If you are self-employed, then this might be a little trickier. You could provide recent invoices as proof of income.

In addition to proving that you were earning income before the accident, you will also need to prove that your injury has prevented you from earning that past income. In some cases, doing this is relatively easy. For example, if you are a construction worker, then simply proving that you sustained a physical injury via hospital records is enough.

The most difficult step will be to prove how much you should recover. This is because you will need to figure out what you would have earned were it not for the injury. You may need the help of a financial or economic expert witness and you may need to provide testimony to showcase your character traits, work habits, career intentions, education, and more.

Determining how much you’re owed in damages due to lost wages is often one of the most challenging aspects of a car accident lawsuit. It’s why you’ll want to make sure that you have the help of an experienced car accident attorney. For a free initial consultation concerning your car accident case, be sure to contact us at The Law Office of Gloria Seidule today.

Related Car Accident Information:

Auto Accident Police Report FAQs

How Much do Car Accident Attorney’s Charge?

Hiring a Car Accident Attorney FAQs

Car Accident Brain Injury FAQs

What to do During and After a Car Accident

Proving Fault in a Car Accident

Who pays a Car Accident Medical Bill?

Can I Claim Pain & Suffering from a car Accident?

What are my Auto Repair Options?

Advice on Filing Your Car Accident Insurance Claim?

Actions to take Right after your Car Accident

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