Getting Paid for Missed Work Because of An Accident
Many people worry about how their injuries will affect their ability to work and support their family after a car accident. Injuries from a car accident can make it difficult to do your regular job or require you to take time off work for medical appointments and treatment. According to NerdWallet.com, almost half of Americans cannot afford a $1,000 emergency without borrowing money or using credit cards. That’s why it’s important for accident victims to be compensated for any lost wages. This is where wage loss claims become important.
Filing a Claim for Lost Wages
In Texas, if you are involved in a car accident, you have the right to receive compensation for the wages or earnings you lost because of the time you had to take off work. When making a claim against the driver responsible for the accident, you can include the wages you lost due to being unable to work, as well as any missed work for medical appointments and treatments. This may also involve using your vacation or sick days for these purposes. To successfully prove your wage loss claim, you need to demonstrate that the accident directly caused you to miss work and provide a medical release from your doctor stating the number of hours you were unable to work because of the collision.
To determine the amount of money you can claim for lost wages, you need to gather evidence that shows the difference between what you earned before the accident and what you earned while you were unable to work. In some cases, you can easily establish this difference by comparing your paystubs from before the accident with those from the time you were unable to work. However, there are situations where you may need to examine your tax returns and bank deposits to prove that you experienced a loss of earnings. The goal is to ensure that you receive a fair and just compensation for the time you had to miss work because of the other driver’s negligence.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Coverage
In Texas, insurance companies must offer Personal Injury Protection (PIP) as required by law. PIP covers lost wages, medical expenses, funeral costs, and loss of home services, regardless of who caused the accident. The minimum PIP coverage includes 85% of lost wages or $200 per week, $10,000 for medical expenses within three years of the accident, $2,000 for funeral expenses, and $5,000 for loss of home services benefits, up to $200 per week. Loss of home services benefits cover housekeeping, yard work, home maintenance, and home nursing services.
Additional Options
Uninsured Motorist Coverage: Make sure to review your own car insurance policy to see if you have Uninsured Motorist coverage. This type of coverage is specifically meant to safeguard you in situations where the driver who caused the accident either doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have sufficient insurance to pay for the damages you incurred. If you do have UM coverage, you have the option to submit a claim to your insurance provider in order to receive compensation for lost wages and any other damages you suffered.
Potential Lawsuit: If you do not have uninsured motorist or personal injury protection coverage, or if these coverages are not enough to cover your lost wage compensation and other damages, you may have the option to file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver responsible for the accident. To do this, you will need to demonstrate the driver’s negligence and the extent of your damages in a court of law. It is important to remember that recovering compensation from an uninsured driver can be difficult, as they may lack the financial means to fulfill a judgment.
IF YOU’VE BEEN INJURED IN A CAR, TRUCK, OR MOTORCYCLE WRECK, CONTACT THE LAW OFFICE OF BRIAN BRUNSON TODAY.
Named one of the “Best Car Accident Lawyers in Dallas” by Expertise.com, Brian Brunson is Dallas personal injury attorney who is dedicated to helping clients who have suffered a car, truck, or motorcycle injury through the negligent or wrongful conduct of other drivers. In addition, his professionalism is unmatched and the firms’ client reviews speak for themselves.
We proudly serve the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and surrounding areas, our office supports the legal needs of a wide variety of clients. Let the Law Office of Brian Brunson be your advocate in your time of need and help you put your life back together. If we can’t win or settle your case, you don’t pay a dime! We know it can be daunting to take that first step after you’ve been hurt. Contact Brian Brunson today via email or call us toll-free at 1-844-41-WRECK. We can help, when no one else will.