Charlotte is the transportation hub of the Charlotte Metro area. Drivers from North and South Carolina travel up and down the I-77 corridor all day to get to work, make a shopping trip to Concord Mills, or see a concert at the PNC Arena. The Queen City is the most populous city in North Carolina, and from 2018 to 2020, over 120,000 car accidents occurred.
After a car accident comes medical bills, car repair costs, and other unexpected bills related to the accident; if you’re also unable to work during this time due to your injuries, the increasing pile of bills seems daunting, and you may wonder how you’ll pay for everything. Fortunately, it is possible to recover wages through personal injury claims. When you miss work due to injuries related to a car accident, you are entitled to recover past and future lost wages and compensation for medical bills and other expenses.
At The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, our Charlotte car accident lawyers 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 consultation.
What Are Lost Wages?
Lost wages would be the income you would have earned if you were not injured in an accident. This includes things like your salary, bonuses, tips, and commissions. If you are self-employed, it can also include the revenue you would have generated from your business.
To recover lost wages, you will need to prove two things: first, you would have earned the income if you had not been injured, and second, the accident caused you to miss out on that income.
Who Can I File a Lost Wages Claim Against?
In most cases, you will file an insurance claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company in your accident. If the at-fault driver does not have insurance, or if their insurance is not enough to cover your damages, you may be able to file a claim against your own insurance company through your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage is required in North Carolina, while underinsured motorist is extra coverage you purchase to help protect yourself against drivers who only carry the minimum limits required by North Carolina. You may also file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party.
How Do I Prove My Lost Income?
The best way to prove your loss of income is with pay stubs, tax returns, or other documentation that shows how much you earned before the accident. If you are self-employed, you will need to provide documentation of your business revenue.
You will also need to provide medical records, and likely a note from your doctor writing you out of work, that prove that the injuries from your car accident prevented you from working. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you gather documentation and evidence to prove your lost wages claim.
Calculating Lost Wages
When calculating lost wages, our attorney will need to look at a few different things. First, they will look at your employment history and earnings. They will then calculate the amount of time that you missed from work because of your injuries. Finally, they will determine whether or not you are able to return to work and earn an income. If you are not able to return to work, your attorney will calculate the amount of income that you would have earned throughout your career. It may even be necessary to hire an expert to establish the present day value of your future earnings.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Charlotte 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 auto accident attorneys have experience with all personal injury cases in Charlotte, including car accidents. 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.
