When a car crash leaves you too injured to work, the bills don't take long to pile up. As if the physical pain and emotional trauma weren't enough, now you're worried about how you'll support your family while you recover.
As a compassionate Washington car accident lawyer with over two decades of experience, Max Meyers understands the stress and uncertainty you're facing. He's helped thousands of clients just like you go through the complex claims process to secure the full compensation they deserve, including money for lost wages. In this article, we'll explore what wage-related damages you may be entitled to and how our skilled attorney can help you fight for the settlement you deserve.
Lost Wages and Lost Earning Capacity Damages You May Deserve
When a car accident forces you off the job, you are entitled to compensation from the negligent driver who caused your crash. You can typically claim two types of wage-related damages: lost wages and lost earning capacity.
Lost wages represent the money you would have earned from the date of the accident until you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI). Your MMI is the stage in your medical treatment where you’ve recovered from your injuries as much as you can, and your doctor gives you a final prognosis. Your lost wages claim might include:
- Regular pay for the hours or days you missed due to your injuries, medical appointments, or other accident-related commitments
- Overtime, bonuses, or commissions you would have received during your recovery period if not for the accident
- Used sick days or vacation time that you had to use while recovering from your injuries
- Income from self-employment that you lost due to your inability to work after the crash
Some injuries, such as back injuries, spinal injuries, or traumatic brain injuries, can be catastrophic. Lost earning capacity refers to the ongoing impact your injuries will have on your ability to earn a living in the future.
If your injuries result in permanent limitations or disabilities that affect your job prospects, you can obtain compensation for the difference between what you would have earned without the accident and what you can now earn with your limitations. You can also recover these damages if you become permanently disabled and can no longer work. You may be entitled to this compensation if you:
- Can't return to your previous job due to permanent limitations and must take a lower-paying position
- Must take a lower-paying position at a new job to accommodate your injuries and work restrictions
- Need to reduce your hours or responsibilities because of your accident-related limitations
- Are unable to advance in your career as you would have before the crash due to your injuries
- Can’t work at any job because of your injuries
Evidence You Need to Support Your Lost Wage Claim After a Washington Car Accident
You must carefully document your wage losses to get the compensation you’re entitled to in your settlement. Max Meyers recommends you gather key evidence like:
- Pay stubs showing typical earnings before the accident to establish a baseline income
- W-2s, 1099 forms, bank statements, and other financial statements from the previous year demonstrating your annual income
- Medical records from your doctor confirming your injuries, treatment plan, and the expected recovery period
- Statements from your employer about missed work and any accommodations made upon your return to work after the accident
If you're self-employed or have a variable income, proving lost wages can be trickier. You may need to provide tax returns, client contracts, or billing records. Our lawyer can work with financial experts to understand your losses in these more complex situations and if you’re seeking lost earning capacity damages.
How Our Experienced Washington Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
While you may be tempted to accept the insurance company's first settlement offer just to get some money coming in, doing so rarely accounts for the full scope of your damages. Lost wages are easy to undervalue without proper legal guidance.
Max Meyers and his team at Max Meyers Law can provide invaluable assistance in several key areas:
- Thoroughly investigate your case to uncover all potential damages. We'll dig deep into the details of your accident and injuries to identify every type of damage you've suffered. This includes your obvious damages like medical bills and lost wages and harder-to-quantify damages such as pain, suffering, and emotional distress. By conducting a comprehensive investigation, we make sure nothing gets overlooked.
- Gather the documentation needed to support your lost wage claim. Proving lost wages can be challenging, especially if you're self-employed or have a variable income. We'll help you compile all the necessary evidence, from pay stubs and tax returns to medical records and employer statements. If needed, we'll even work with financial experts to develop detailed projections of your losses.
- Negotiate aggressively with the insurance company for a fair settlement. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, but we know how to fight back. Armed with strong evidence and a deep understanding of your damages, Max will advocate tirelessly on your behalf in settlement negotiations. He won't hesitate to push back against lowball offers or unfair tactics.
- Represent you in court if a proper agreement can't be reached. While most car accident claims settle out of court, sometimes insurers refuse to offer a fair deal. We're fully prepared to take your case to trial in this situation. With decades of litigation experience, Max Meyers knows how to present a compelling case to a judge and jury. We'll be by your side every step of the way, fighting for the full compensation you deserve.
If you've been injured in a Washington car accident, you deserve full and fair compensation for your losses—including every dollar of lost income. Let Max Meyers put his decades of experience to work for you.
