Can I Be Reimbursed for Lost Wages After a Car Accident?

Can you be reimbursed for lost wages after a car accident in Missouri? Yes, you can pursue compensation for lost wages and lost earning capacity under Missouri law.

Types of Lost Wages Covered in Accident Claims

If you want to file a lost wages claim after a car accident, you typically must file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company demanding compensation for your losses in the accident. You can demand compensation for specific economic losses, such as lost wages and medical expenses, as well as noneconomic intangible losses, like pain and suffering.

The phrase “lost wages” doesn’t just mean the wages you would have earned had you not been forced to miss work. It also includes reduced earning capacity, meaning your projected future losses due to your injuries in the accident if they impair your ability to increase your earnings going forward or if your injuries require you to take a position that pays less than you earned before the accident.

Lost wages and lost earning capacity include:

• Your hourly wage multiplied by the number of hours you were out of work
• Overtime you would have earned if you had not been out of work
• Missed sales commissions
• Missed bonuses
• The value of paid time off you used because of the injury
• Income for raises or promotions you would have received over time

How Insurance Companies Handle Lost Wage Claims

When an insurance carrier receives an insurance claim for lost earnings, they will review the facts of the case and any evidence you’ve provided before deciding whether to offer compensation for lost income.

Remember, the insurance company doesn’t want to pay wage reimbursement after an auto accident if they can help it, so they will not be inclined to honor your claim unless you provide solid evidence. Proof of lost wages from a car crash can include:

• A doctor’s note stating that you cannot work and why
• A letter from your employer confirming that you were out of work and giving dates, hourly wages or salary, and other information
• Tax returns to demonstrate your income
• Bills, invoices, or bank statements if you are self-employed

Filing a Lawsuit to Recover Lost Wages

If the insurance company offers you a reasonable settlement for your lost wages and earning capacity, your lawyer will advise you to take the settlement and resolve your claim. If the insurance company doesn’t offer you a reasonable settlement, you can file a lawsuit to seek compensation for your lost wages and lost earning capacity with your lawyer’s help.

Do You Need a Lawyer for Lost Wage Claims?

No law says you must have a lawyer to file a lost wage claim. However, if you want to pursue maximum compensation for your losses, hiring a lawyer is a good idea. If the insurance company knows you don’t have a lawyer, they will probably offer you a minimal settlement worth far less than the true value of your claim.

Sumner Law Group, LLC, is a personal injury law firm serving St. Louis, Missouri. We have a history of securing substantial settlements and verdicts for our clients over the past 50 years. If you’ve lost wages due to a car accident injury in Missouri, contact Sumner Law Group, LLC, today and set up a free consultation with a car accident lawyer at our firm.