If you have been injured in a car accident and had to miss work, you may be entitled to recover lost wages as part of your personal injury claim. At the Law Offices of Brent W. Caldwell, we help clients throughout California secure compensation for the income they missed due to accident-related injuries. Here is how the process works.
What Are Lost Wages?
Lost wages refer to the income you were unable to earn because of your injuries. This includes:
- Time missed from work due to hospital visits or recovery
- Time off for medical appointments or therapy
- Sick leave or vacation days used because of the accident
- Missed bonuses, commissions, or overtime opportunities
- Lost income from freelance or self-employment work
If your injuries affect your ability to return to your previous job or work at the same level, you may also be entitled to compensation for loss of earning capacity.
Step 1: Get Medical Documentation
To claim lost wages, you need to show that your time away from work was medically necessary. Start by visiting a doctor as soon as possible after the accident. Follow all treatment instructions and keep records of your appointments, treatment plans, and any work restrictions your doctor provides.
A doctor’s note stating that you were unable to work is a key part of proving your wage loss.
Step 2: Gather Proof of Your Income
To support your claim, you will need documents that show your normal earnings. This may include:
- Pay stubs from before the accident
- A letter from your employer confirming your pay rate, schedule, and dates missed
- Tax returns, if you are self-employed
- Bank statements or invoices, for freelancers or contractors
The more detailed your records, the easier it is to calculate your total lost wages.
Step 3: Calculate Your Lost Wages
Once you have the necessary documents, you can calculate the total amount of wages you lost due to the accident. For hourly workers, multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours missed. For salaried employees, divide your salary to get a daily rate, then multiply by the days missed.
Self-employed individuals can use past income history, client cancellations, and missed opportunities to estimate losses. This part of the process can be more complex and often benefits from legal assistance.
Step 4: Include Lost Wages in Your Personal Injury Claim
Lost wages are part of your economic damages, which also include medical bills and property damage. If you are filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company or pursuing a lawsuit, these damages should be clearly documented and submitted with your claim.
Be prepared for the insurance company to push back. They may ask for extensive documentation or try to reduce the value of your claim. That is where an attorney can help.
Why Work With a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Proving lost wages is not always straightforward, especially if you are self-employed, work irregular hours, or have future income concerns. An experienced lawyer can help:
- Collect and organize necessary documentation
- Work with medical providers to verify work restrictions
- Calculate future lost earnings or loss of earning capacity
- Push back against unfair settlement offers
At the Law Offices of Brent W. Caldwell, we build strong cases for our clients to make sure all damages are properly considered and presented.
Start With a Free Consultation
If you were injured in a car accident and missed work, you have the right to pursue compensation for your lost wages. Let us help you protect that right. We handle personal injury claims throughout California and work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Call the Law Offices of Brent W. Caldwell today for a free consultation.
