Payment for Lost Wages After a Car Accident
If you find yourself unable to work after being injured in a car accident, you may be able to recover lost wages through insurance income-loss benefits or by filing a liability claim against the parties responsible.
Pennsylvania law generally allows you to seek compensation for lost income and earning potential, provided that you file your claim within two years of the date of your accident, as per 42 Pa.C.S. §5524. You must also provide evidence of a clear connection between the car accident, your injuries, and your inability to work.
How to Prove Your Inability to Work
After seeking medical care, you should notify your employer of your accident and injuries as soon as possible. Make sure that your work restrictions are accurately documented, and that you keep all records of:
- Work schedules and missed work hours
- Income you would normally have earned
- Wage statements and payslips
- Tax records
- Correspondence with your employer
All of these can serve as evidence to strengthen your claim. If you’re self-employed, you may need to provide your lawyer with business records, invoices, accounts, and other financial evidence to prove you’ve lost income due to your injuries.
Claiming Compensation for Lost Income
If you are seriously injured in a car crash, you may be:
- Unable to return to your former job
- Forced to reduce your work hours
- Facing impaired future earning potential
In these cases, your personal injury claim may also involve diminished earning capacity. Major cases may require medical and vocational evidence or testimony from economic experts.
There are several options for recovering lost wages if you can no longer work. Many Pennsylvania auto insurance policies offer first-party coverage which includes income-loss benefits. You may also file a separate liability claim against the parties responsible for your collision, provided that this is allowed by your insurance’s tort limitations under 75 Pa.C.S.A. §1705.
Your Pennsylvania car accident lawyer can evaluate your evidence and insurance coverage, identify available compensation avenues, and determine how to present your income loss to recover maximum damages.