Imagine driving home from work on a typical evening when another driver runs a red light, causing a severe collision. Now, you’re dealing with painful injuries that keep you from working. As you watch your bills pile up while your paychecks stop coming in, you might wonder what your options are. This situation requires the kind of courage we have at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer – the Kentucky Courage to stand up and fight for what you deserve.
We understand the stress you’re experiencing. You’re rightfully wondering how you’ll make ends meet without the ability to work due to your injuries from a car crash. The good news? You may qualify for compensation to cover your lost wages due to a car accident.
Our experienced Kentucky personal injury attorneys stand ready to help you pursue every dollar you deserve, just as we’ve done for countless other hardworking people across Kentucky.
Contact us today for a free consultation. We’re available 24/7 to take your call and set up a time to discuss your lost wages claim.
What Does ‘Lost Wages’ Mean?
Lost wages encompass all the money you would have earned if the car accident had not prevented you from working. That includes:
- Regular hourly pay or salary ‒ The basic income you would have received for your regular work schedule
- Overtime opportunities ‒ Any extra hours you regularly worked or would have been available to work
- Bonuses and commissions ‒ Additional earnings you missed because of your injuries
- Self-employment income ‒ Revenue lost from your business or independent contractor work
- Side job earnings ‒ Income from part-time work or gig economy positions
Proving lost wages might seem more complicated for self-employed individuals, farmers, small business owners, and independent contractors. However, our attorneys understand these situations and know how to document all types of lost income effectively.
The amount you can recover depends on several factors, including the severity of your injuries, how long you cannot work, and the specifics of your employment. Our legal team will work to identify and document every source of lost income to maximize your potential compensation after a car accident that keeps you out of work.
What Steps Should I Take to Prove Lost Wages Due to a Car Accident?
Taking prompt action after a car accident in Kentucky can help strengthen your claim for lost wages. Our firm recommends these essential steps:
- Contact our experienced attorneys ‒ Proving liability for an accident requires collecting evidence before it disappears and interviewing witnesses while memories are still fresh. The sooner you reach out to Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer, the faster our car accident lawyers can start protecting your rights.
- Seek immediate medical care ‒ Medical records clearly link your injuries and missed work. This proof can prevent the insurance company from denying that your injuries are unrelated to the collision.
- Report the accident to your employer ‒ Let your supervisor know about your situation as soon as possible so they can verify your claim if necessary.
- Keep detailed records ‒ Document every day you miss work, including partial days and medical appointments. You deserve compensation for every dollar you didn’t make due to the accident.
Documenting Your Lost Wages
Proper documentation serves as the foundation for your personal injury lawsuit. Your employer can provide crucial evidence through:
- An official company letter ‒ A statement describing your position, your salary or hourly wage, and all missed work days
- Employment verification ‒ Documentation of your regular work schedule and pay rate
- Attendance records ‒ Information about the time you missed from work due to your car accident injuries
We recommend requesting these documents as soon as possible while the details remain fresh in your employer’s records.
What Other Documents Should I Collect?
Beyond employer documentation, several other records could help your effort to claim lost wages:
- Pay stubs ‒ Recent pay stubs showing your earnings before the accident
- Tax returns ‒ Previous years’ returns demonstrating your earning history
- Bank statements ‒ Deposits showing your regular income pattern
- Client contracts ‒ For self-employed individuals, evidence of expected earnings
- Business records ‒ Documentation of lost business opportunities or canceled contracts
- Income projections ‒ Forecasts of future lost wages you couldn’t pursue due to your injuries
For self-employed Kentuckians, we understand that proving lost income requires additional documentation. Our attorneys know how to build strong cases for business owners, independent contractors, and gig workers who lose income after an accident.
No-Fault Car Insurance and What That Means for You
Kentucky operates under a no-fault insurance system, which means your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage typically provides a basic source of compensation for lost wages. However, PIP coverage from your own insurance company has limits that likely will not fully address your financial needs.
Some Kentuckians don’t realize they can pursue additional compensation beyond their PIP benefits when their injuries meet certain thresholds. Specifically, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim against the other driver’s insurance company if any of the following apply:
- Your medical expenses exceed $1,000.
- The accident results in a broken bone.
- You experience permanent disfigurement or permanent injury due to the crash.
Our attorneys understand how to determine when you qualify to seek compensation beyond basic PIP benefits and will fight to maximize your recovery from all available sources.
Do You Need Help from an Experienced Kentucky Personal Injury Attorney?
At Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer, we bring Kentucky Courage to every case we handle. Our experienced attorneys are prepared to:
- Handle all communications with insurance companies throughout your car accident claim
- Gather and organize the documentation needed to prove your lost wages claim
- Calculate the full value of your lost income, including proving future lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Fight for every dollar you deserve from all available sources
- Keep you informed throughout the entire process
We understand the stress of missing work while bills continue to arrive. That’s why we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay us unless we win money for you. Even then, our fee comes as a percentage of your recovery rather than directly out of your pocket.
Contact Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer today for a free consultation with an experienced Kentucky car accident attorney about how we can help you recover lost wages.
