Proving Lost Wages in a Car Accident Case
So you are driving home from work and get hit by another car. You got injured and taken to the hospital. All along, you hope you can recover and go back to work, but the medical tests indicate that you will not be able to for some time! If this sounds like you, you may wonder how you will support yourself and your family during this time. After all, how will you earn a living if you cannot work The good news is that if someone else’s negligence caused your accident, then you may be able to recover lost wages from a car accident as part of your personal injury claim. Contact Blackmon & Blackmon PLLC today to discuss your case and learn more about how we can help you.
How to Prove Lost Wages After a Car Accident
The first step in proving lost wages is to show that the accident caused you to miss work. To do this, you will need some sort of documentation from your employer. This can be in the form of a letter from your boss, a pay stub showing that you did not receive compensation for the missed days, or lost wages form car accident.
If you are self-employed, then proving lost wages may be a bit more complicated. In this case, you will need to show that the accident prevented you from working and earning an income.
You can do this by showing how much money you would have earned had you been able to work. For example, if you are a freelance writer, you would need to show how much money you would have earned from the articles you were unable to write because of your injuries.
In addition to proving that the accident caused you to miss work, you must also show how much money you lost. This includes not only your regular salary or wages but also bonuses, commissions, or other forms of compensation that you would have received had you been able to work.
You will also need to show that you would have been able to continue working had it not been for the accident. For example, if you cannot return to your previous job because of your injuries, you will need to show that you would have been able to get a similar job had you not got injured.
Claiming Compensation
If you can prove lost wages, then you may be able to recover them as part of your personal injury claim. To claim compensation, you must file a personal injury lawsuit against the person or entity responsible for your accident. After filing the lawsuit, you can then seek damages for your injuries, including lost wages.
In Mississippi, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit is three years from the date of the accident. This means that you will need to file your lawsuit within three years of the date of the accident, or you will get barred from doing so.
You can use an auto accident claim calculator to help estimate your potential compensation.
50/50 Claim and How it Works
In some cases, both parties in an accident may claim that the accident was 50/50. This means that you and the other party claim that are equally responsible for the accident.
If this happens, you may still be able to recover damages, but your percentage of fault may reduce the amount you receive. But 50/50 does not exactly apply in all cases. For example, if you are 20% at fault for the accident, you can only recover 80% of your damages.
It is important to note that even if the other party claims that the accident was 50/50, this does not mean they will necessarily be successful in doing so. The court will still look at the evidence to determine who was actually at fault for the accident.
Why You Need an Attorney
A lost wages case can be complex, and it can be difficult to prove on your own. An experienced personal injury attorney knows how to investigate your accident, gather evidence, and build a strong case for you.
Additionally, a car accident lawyer in Mississippi can help you determine the amount of compensation you deserve using an auto accident settlement calculator. They will also be able to negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf and fight for the full compensation you deserve.
If you have got injured in an accident, we can review your case and help you understand your legal options. Contact an experienced Flowood car accident attorney at Blackmon & Blackmon PLLC today!