Any car accident in Houston causes injuries and damages. If you or your loved one has been involved and suffered any injuries and damages, calling car crash lawyers is the first and most important step to take. You are likely dealing with medical bills. And chances are that you’ll not return to work right away. This is especially true if your injuries are serious.
It is common for most car crash victims to miss some work since they cannot complete their chores while recovering. This time out of work can be disadvantageous to their everyday and future life, and that is why the law allows car accident victims to recover the amount of cash they would have made if they were able to work.
Lost wages happen to be the most commonly overlooked and misunderstood type of damage and victims need to understand its ins and outs. Also, they need to understand how they can impact the compensation level available in a personal injury lawsuit.
This article explores the world of lost wages, covering the claim process when working with a knowledgeable Houston car accident lawyer, and more.
Loss of Wages Claims in Houston: How Does it Work?
You or your loved one must have had to miss work because of the incident and injuries sustained in order to file a loss of wages claim in Houston. It’s true that you would have earned a certain amount of money if the negligent driver had not caused the car accident incident. This amount of money is what the legal experts refer to as lost wages. You might miss work because of several reasons, including:
- Medical procedures or appointments during normal work time
- Having work restrictions from a medical expert
- The need to stay at home and rest to heal
- Injuries that hinder you from working or completing all your duties at the workplace
Lost wages are among the losses you can claim after a car accident in Houston for financial recovery. The at-fault motorist’s insurer needs to cover all expenses associated with the incident, once it occurs.
An experienced Houston car accident lawyer can help you accurately calculate all your lost wages. This is important before you can submit an insurance claim. You require certain documentation to prove your claims. Insurers will always look for reasons to pay out less or deny your claim, and this is where a lawyer can help. Valuable and valid evidence and documentation are necessary if you want your case to proceed successfully.
So, what documentation or evidence do you need to provide to prove your lost wages? They include:
Lost wage verification form
Your employer, HR department, or supervisor needs to complete a lost wage verification form. This form indicates the amount of time you missed work. It also shows your rate of pay. Your employer should provide this form.
Pay stubs and tax records
You need to keep track of any recent stubs as well as other evidence of your pay after the incident. You’ll be required to show any days you missed or shortened due to the accident and your regular pay rate if you can.
Medical documentation
You need to have the paperwork from your doctor for your employer if you receive work restrictions. The doctor must deeply understand what you do at your workplace, especially the types of chores you usually perform daily.
Records of the days or period you missed
Keep a comprehensive log of every hour or day you missed from work and valid reasons why you missed it. Are they just a few hours you had to miss due to a doctor’s appointment? Be sure to keep track of it.
How a Houston Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
It is strongly advisable to have an experienced car crash lawyer. A knowledgeable lawyer will know the best way to compile valuable and valid evidence and professionally present it to the at-fault driver’s insurer. Also, knowledgeable car crash lawyers can help you with the whole claim, and not just lost wages, including:
- Medical costs
- Repair expenses
- Other damages that are challenging to calculate
Your lost wages calculations differ depending on whether you’re paid an annual salary or an hourly wage. Also, it may include lost income for the self-employed.
After an accident, keep in touch with an experienced Houston car accident lawyer. Claiming and providing evidence for your lost wages is just a single piece of the puzzle. To ensure you are well-positioned to get the best outcome or understand the bigger car crash claim picture, it makes sense to discuss your situation with a knowledgeable legal expert.
