When you are involved in a car accident, one of the biggest concerns you may face is how it affects your ability to work. Lost wages can put a serious strain on you and your family, especially if your recovery takes time. If you are wondering about your options, our Missouri City, TX car accident lawyer can explain the different ways you may be able to recover income you lost because of your injuries.
How Lost Wages Are Calculated
Lost wages typically refer to the money you would have earned if the accident had not happened. This includes your hourly pay or salary, along with bonuses, commissions, or overtime if they are part of your usual income. To prove your losses, you usually need records from your employer, such as pay stubs, timesheets, or written confirmation of missed days. Medical records can also help connect your inability to work to the accident itself.
Recovering Future Earnings
If your injuries are severe enough that you cannot return to the same type of work, you may also be entitled to compensation for lost earning capacity. This means looking at the long-term effect on your career.
For example, if you previously worked in a physically demanding job and can no longer perform those tasks, you might need to shift into lower-paying work. Calculating this type of loss often involves reviewing your age, work history, education, and what you were expected to earn over time.
Sick Leave And Vacation Time
Sometimes people use their sick leave or vacation days while they recover from a car accident. Even though you are still receiving a paycheck, you are using benefits you otherwise could have saved for another time. In many cases, the value of those days can be included as part of your claim because they represent a loss tied directly to the accident.
Self Employment And Missed Work
If you are self-employed, proving lost income can be more challenging, but it’s still possible! Instead of pay stubs, you may need to provide tax returns, invoices, bank records, or client contracts that show what your expected earnings would have been. Courts and insurance companies will look at your past income and business history to determine what you reasonably lost because of the accident.
Why Legal Guidance Matters
Insurance companies do not always make it easy to recover the full amount of lost income. They may question how much time off was necessary or argue that your injuries should not have kept you away from work. Having one of our experienced and client-recommended attorneys review your case helps you put together the records and documentation needed to support your claim.
Reach Out For Help Today
Missed work after a car accident can cause serious financial stress, but you may have the right to be compensated for your losses. At Culpepper Law Group, we are here to review your situation and help you pursue the income and benefits you deserve. If you are feeling unsure about the road ahead, contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how our accident lawyers can help.
