As the fifth-largest city in South Carolina and the fourth largest city in the Charlotte metro area, Rock Hill has workers traveling up and down the I-77 corridor every day. With so many cars on the road, accidents have become more common. In 2020, over 30 car accident fatalities occurred in Rock Hill.
When you suffer car accident injuries, your expenses increase. There are medical bills and property damages, and you may have to pay for child care or delivery services. As these expenses pile up, you may be overwhelmed, and if you are unable to work, you may wonder how you’ll pay for them. Fortunately, you may be able to recover lost wages through a personal injury claim.
At The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, our Rock Hill car accident attorneys have years of experience recovering lost wages for accident victims and we will help you get the lost earnings you are owed from the accident. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.
What Are Lost Wages?
Lost wages are defined as the amount of money you would have earned if you had not been injured in an accident. This includes things like your salary, bonuses, and commissions. If you cannot work while you recover, this lost income can add up quickly.
Making a Lost Wages Claim
It is best to contact a personal injury lawyer to claim lost compensation. At The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor in Rock Hill, we can help you determine if you have a case, how much it’s worth, and help you file your claim.
How to Submit a Lost Wage Claim
You can recover compensation for lost wages in a car accident claim by filing with your insurance company or the at-fault party’s insurance company. You may also choose to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party.
The damages you can recover will depend on the type of insurance coverage you or the other driver has:
- Liability bodily injury coverage – If the other driver is at-fault, you can file your claim through their insurance company.
- UM coverage – South Carolina requires drivers to purchase uninsured motorist coverage along with their liability coverage. If you are in an accident with an uninsured driver, you can file a claim through your own insurance company.
Your lawyer will be able to help you determine which option is best for your case.
Proving Your Lost Wages Claim
To prove lost wages, you will need to show that your injuries from the accident caused you to miss work. This can be done by providing:
- Doctor’s Note: If you are injured in an accident, you will likely need to see a doctor. Be sure to get a doctor’s note and medical records that state the nature and extent of your injuries and that you are unable to work due to your injuries. This can be used as evidence in your lost wages claim.
- Pay Stubs: Your pay stubs can be used to prove your lost wages. Be sure to keep all pay stubs from the period you were injured.
- Tax Returns: If you are self-employed, you will need to provide tax returns to prove your lost wages. You will not have pay stubs to show how much you would have earned.
- Other Financial Documents: You may need to provide other financial documents to prove your lost wages. This could include things like bank statements or investment accounts. Your personal injury lawyer will be able to help you determine what is necessary.
Calculating Lost Wages
When calculating your lost wages, your lawyer will consider several factors. This includes things like your salary, the length of time you will be out of work, and whether or not you will be able to return to work in the future at the same wage. They will also consider things like whether you can work in a different capacity while you recover. For example, if you can work part-time, they will take that into account when calculating your lost wages.
Your personal injury attorney will be able to help you determine how much your claim is worth. They will also be able to negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to get you the full amount of compensation you deserve.
Contact a Rock Hill Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you are involved in a car accident and have to take time off work, you deserve fair compensation for your injuries and lost wages.
Our Rock Hill auto accident attorneys have experience with all personal injury cases in Rock Hill, including car accidents, and we are not afraid to take on insurance companies to help you obtain fair compensation. Contact The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor today for your free initial consultation and learn more about what we can do to help you. We will answer your questions and explain all of your legal options.
