How to Claim Lost Wages From a Car Accident in St. Louis

For most people, the most immediately apparent consequences of a car accident are the pain of their injuries and the damage to their vehicle. While seeking medical attention and addressing vehicle damage can come with significant financial costs, many accident victims are surprised by the economic impact of missed time at work after being involved in a traffic crash. Working with a St. Louis car accident attorney to file a compensation claim can allow you to recover these losses. Here is all you need to know about how to claim lost wages from a car accident in St. Louis.

What Qualifies as Lost Wages After a Car Accident?

Lost wages encompass any income you would have earned if the car accident had never occurred. Qualifying income includes:

• Regular hourly or salary pay – Your standard earnings for the time you missed work
• Overtime – Any extra hours you typically work beyond your regular schedule
• Bonuses or commissions – Additional income you would have earned during your recovery period
• Promotions or raises – If you missed out on a scheduled pay increase due to the accident

It is worth noting that lost wages cover not just the immediate aftermath of the accident, but also any future work time lost due to ongoing medical treatments or therapy sessions related to your injuries.

Can I Recover Lost Income If I Am Self-Employed?

Self-employed individuals are eligible to recover lost income after a car accident, though the process may be more complex. As a self-employed person, you will need to demonstrate:

• Your typical earnings before the accident
• Contracts or jobs you could not complete due to your injuries
• Business opportunities you missed while recovering

Providing tax returns, profit and loss statements, and correspondence with clients can help establish your claim for lost self-employment income. Working closely with an experienced attorney can ensure you gather all the necessary documentation to support your claim.

Can I Get Compensation for Lost Sick Days and Paid Time Off?

You can seek compensation for sick days and paid time off (PTO) you were forced to use due to your accident injuries. Even though you received payment for these days, you have effectively lost a benefit you would have otherwise had available for future use. When claiming compensation for used sick days or PTO, consider:

• The number of days you used specifically for accident-related recovery
• The monetary value of those days, based on your salary
• Any company policies regarding PTO payout upon leaving the job

Recovering compensation for these days ensures you do not suffer penalties for using your benefits to recover from an accident due to another party’s negligence.

How Do I Prove My Lost Wages?

Proving lost wages requires thorough documentation. Gathering the following materials can support your claim:

• A letter from your employer stating your position, pay rate, and time missed
• Recent pay stubs showing your typical earnings
• Tax returns from previous years
• Timecard records or attendance logs
• Medical records linking your injuries to missed work time
• A statement from your doctor about your inability to work

Self-employed individuals should include contracts, invoices, and appointment books showing lost business. The more comprehensive your documentation, the more robust your claim will be.

How Do I Calculate My Lost Wages?

Calculating lost wages involves several steps:

• Determine your daily rate – For salaried employees, divide your annual salary by the number of workdays per year. For hourly workers, multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours in your typical workday.
• Count the number of workdays missed – Include full and partial days, as well as time off for medical appointments.
• Multiply your daily rate by the number of days missed

For example, if your daily rate is $200 and you missed ten workdays, your lost wages would be $2,000. Remember to include any lost overtime, bonuses, or commissions in your calculations.

When calculating lost income from accident-related injuries, many individuals are at risk of underestimating the total value of their losses. When you work with a knowledgeable and skilled St. Louis car accident attorney, they can assess your situation from all angles, ensuring that you do not miss out on your opportunity to seek the full compensation you deserve.

What My Injuries Keep Me from Returning to My Previous Job?

Many injuries from car accidents become long-term or permanent disabilities. In such cases, you may be unable to return to the job you held before the accident, having to take lower-paying employment instead. If this situation applies to your case, you can claim compensation for reduced earning capacity.

Damages for reduced earning capacity allow you to recover the difference between what you would have made over the remainder of your working lifespan and what you stand to make in your new role. While calculating the value of this loss may require specialist knowledge from financial and economic experts, seeking these damages is a crucial way to make you financially whole after a life-altering accident.

How Can a Car Accident Attorney Help?

When seeking lost wages after a car accident, the assistance of an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney can be pivotal. A skilled lawyer can:

• Conduct a thorough investigation of the crash to determine what occurred and who was at fault
• Calculate the total value of your lost income and other losses, both economic and non-economic
• Handle all negotiations with the insurance company to protect you from unfair tactics and fight for a fair settlement
• Take the at-fault party to court if their insurer refuses to offer you an amount that will cover your long-term requirements

Goldblatt + Singer has been helping injured Missourians recover the compensation they need and deserve since 1949. With our experience and skills, you can maximize your chances of recovering the income you have lost, as well as medical expenses, property damage, and compensation for your pain and suffering. Call us today at (314) 231-4100 or contact us online for a free consultation with a compassionate and knowledgeable car accident attorney in St. Louis, MO.