How Can a Personal Injury Attorney Help You Recover Money for Your Car Accident Injuries?
Sustaining severe injuries in an auto accident can hinder your ability to fulfill your job responsibilities. If you're unable to work due to the negligence of the other party involved, it can result in a loss of income. However, being unable to be present at work doesn't mean you have to forfeit your wages. With the guidance of a skilled personal injury attorney, you can pursue compensation for the wages you've lost.
Why You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer
Your top priority after an accident should be your recovery. Once you've taken care of yourself, the next step is to seek the guidance of an experienced personal injury attorney. It's important to engage a lawyer before notifying your insurance company about the incident. By doing so, you'll have all the necessary information to ensure you receive the rightful compensation you deserve. Remember, insurance companies are primarily focused on their own profitability and will often attempt to diminish or dismiss your claims.
Dealing with the opposing insurance company may prove challenging, as they are likely to offer a low-dollar settlement. Your personal injury attorney will assess the fairness of the settlement and work to maximize it. If the amount covers your hospital bills, compensates for the physical and psychological toll you've endured, and accounts for lost wages and earnings, your lawyer may recommend accepting it. However, if this isn't the case, your lawyer will advocate for a higher settlement amount from the insurance company to optimize your compensation.
The Significance of a Severe Car Collision
A severe car accident has the potential to completely upend your life in various ways. Following the incident, you will undergo weeks and months of painful surgical procedures aimed at restoring your physical well-being. Subsequently, a lengthy period of recovery and physical therapy will be necessary. One of the most disruptive consequences of a car accident is its impact on your ability to work effectively.
Being unable to work means missing out on earning money, which in turn affects your ability to pay bills and provide for your family. This is where the expertise of a personal injury attorney becomes invaluable. They can guide you on what information to document to accurately demonstrate to insurance companies the extent of your financial losses.
Reclaiming Lost Earnings
One of the main responsibilities of your attorney is to ensure that you recover the income you will lose due to your injury. If the insurance company fails to provide appropriate compensation, legal action may be necessary. However, waiting for the case to be settled or for a judgment may not be feasible. There may be an immediate need for financial assistance.
There are strategies to mitigate financial losses until you receive the expected settlement from the lawsuit. If you have disability insurance, it may provide compensation to help you stay afloat. However, it is important to note that some policies have provisions that restrict payments if you are already receiving compensation from an auto insurance policy.
Another option is personal injury protection insurance, which can provide compensation of up to $2,500 for lost wages.
Obtaining a Fair Resolution
There's no need to confine your sought damages to just medical bills and pain and suffering. If the accident has resulted in loss of wages, job, or business, you have the right to claim for those as well.
A lost wages claim can encompass various components. You have the option to include lost bonuses or commissions that you would have received. Furthermore, you can assert that your treatment for accident injuries resulted in missed opportunities for promotion and salary increases. If you held a salaried position, your claim for lost wages will be contingent upon factors such as your role within the company, your regular working hours, your salary, and the duration of your absence from work. It is crucial to substantiate these claims with supporting documentation from your former employer.
Even if you're self-employed, you can still demonstrate the financial opportunities that you missed out on due to the accident. If you maintain an electronic calendar, you can provide evidence of canceled or missed appointments and meetings. Additionally, you can present records of your invoices or billing activity to showcase the sudden decline in revenue following your injury. Submitting your business's income tax returns and comparing them to previous years' earnings will further illustrate the impact on your finances after the accident.
Contact a Strong Law Personal Injury Attorney Today!
Your personal injury lawyer will help you put together a convincing case for why the insurance company should compensate you for lost wages. If you or a loved one have lost wages due to an auto accident call Strong Law today at any of our convenient locations and get a free consultation.