Injuries suffered in a car crash can prevent you from working during your recovery. For instance, a fractured spine can leave you bedridden for weeks or months. As a result, you will lose the wages you would have earned if were hadn’t been injured.
You deserve compensation for such financial losses. Lost wages are among the economic damages you can claim after a crash caused by a negligent driver. You are entitled to the earnings, overtime pay and other compensation you missed due to your injuries.
How do you prove the wages lost?
As with all other damages you claim, you must provide supporting evidence of the lost wages to get compensation. Here is what you need to do.
The first thing when seeking lost wages is providing medical evidence of your injuries. A doctor’s report will back your claim by shedding light on the nature and extent of your injuries. It will also help tie your injuries to the crash, which will rule out assertions that they were pre-existing.
Next, you need to provide financial records such as your pay stubs, bank statements and tax returns. They will help establish the actual amount lost when you couldn’t work. A letter from your employer confirming your lost income can also come in handy.
Maximizing your car accident claim
It is worth noting that you can claim lost wages and compensation for the effect of the accident on your future earning capacity. These are two separate and unrelated claims.
The necessary legal guidance after a car accident will help identify the damages you can claim and assist you through the claims process. It can go a long way in increasing your chances of getting the settlement you deserve.