Injuries from a car accident can leave you unable to work, which can create financial stress. In a city like Las Vegas where the cost of living keeps rising, missing even a few paychecks can leave you in a tight situation, moneywise.
Fortunately, you may recover your lost wages to help you cope with the difficult aftermath of a crash. Here’s what to do.
Gather proof of your lost wages
The first step is proving how much income you’ve lost due to the accident. If you work a regular job, ask your employer for a letter confirming your pay rate, work schedule and the days you’ve missed.
If you’re self-employed, gather invoices, contacts, financial statements and bank records to show your typical earnings. Substantiating your losses ensures you recover what you are entitled to.
Provide medical evidence
You need to show how your injuries directly impacted your working ability. Medical records, doctor’s notes and treatment plans can support your claim. If your doctor has placed work restrictions on you, include that documentation as well. This helps prove your lost wages are a direct result of the crash.
Understand your options
You may recover lost wages after a car accident through different avenues, depending on your situation. For instance, if the other driver was at fault, you can file a claim against their insurance. If you shared fault, you may still seek compensation as long as you were 50% or less to blame for the accident.
Alternatively, you may rely on your insurance coverage to recover lost wages if you were more at fault than the other driver or if they were underinsured.
Seeking proper legal guidance can help you understand your rights and protect your interests as you navigate the claims process. Remember to act quickly; waiting too long after the crash can hurt your case and reduce the chances of recovering a fair settlement.