Claiming Lost Wages & Income After a Car Wreck

Written by Troy Marsh | Posted on March 31, 2021

A careless driver slammed into your vehicle. You were seriously injured and have been out of work since. You know you deserve compensation for your medical bills and pain and suffering. But, did you know you may also be entitled to your past and future lost wages and income?

You can and should hold the at-fault party or their insurer accountable for all of the wages and income you missed out on. That’s thanks to Georgia’s personal injury laws.

But how do you go about claiming lost wages or income after a car wreck in Georgia? Below, we’ll provide the answers. And to get started on your Georgia car accident claim, reach out to the Statesboro car accident lawyer at The Marsh Law Firm today. Free consultations & no attorney’s fee unless you win.

Calculating Lost Wages After a Car Accident

If you are stuck in the hospital or laid up at home recovering from an auto accident injury, it’s going to be hard to earn the money you need to support yourself and your family. That’s why you deserve compensation from the at-fault driver or their insurer.

Lost Hourly Wages vs. Lost Salary

Calculating the amount of income you lost due to your car accident is essential. If you fail to account for the full amount of money you lost or will lose, you may miss your chance.

Here are two ways to calculate the wages and income you lost:

  • Hourly wages: If you work for an hourly wage, simply multiply your hourly wage by the number of work hours you missed due to your car accident. This is the amount of lost income compensation the at-fault driver may owe you.
  • Annual salary: If you work a salaried job, start by determining your hourly wage. Divide what you make in a year by 2,080. This is the average number of working hours in a year. The result should give you your hourly wage. After that, repeat the steps for hourly wages above.

Other Types of Lost Income

The income you lose during your hospital stay may not be the only income you lose because of your car crash. When calculating the value of your lost wages after a car wreck, consider the following:

  • Did you miss out on any bonuses at work because of your car accident?
  • Was your ability to do your job and earn what you did before the crash negatively impacted?
  • Are you going to miss more work in the future because of your injuries? A planned surgery would be a good example.

All of the above factors should be a part of your lost income calculations after a car crash.

What if You’re a Freelancer or Small Business Owner?

Freelancers, sole proprietors, and small business partners may be able to claim lost income that covers money they would have earned from their clients had they not been hurt. Documentation is key. Records of your past earnings with clients and customers will become helpful as you calculate your lost wages as a freelancer or independent contractor.

How To Document Your Lost Income

After you calculate the estimated value of your car accident claim, it’s time to pursue that compensation from the insurer or at-fault driver. But how do you go about doing that?

By gathering evidence to build your case, a trusted car accident lawyer can help you do that so you can focus on feeling better.
Here are some ways to prove that you lost income or wages:

  • A note from your doctor excusing you from work for a period of time. Make sure the note specifies how long off of work you will need to recover
  • Recent checks, pay stubs, or W2s that prove your income
  • Timecards or similar items that prove how many hours you worked

Connect With The Marsh Law Firm

Don’t merely accept an estimate from the at-fault driver’s insurer about your lost wages. They make these offers based on what they think you’ll accept – not what you need and deserve. To maximize the value of your Georgia car accident claim, you need to do the math and speak with an experienced attorney.

For over 26 years, attorney Troy Marsh has been leveling the playing field by getting results for people injured in car accidents in and around Statesboro. Let him handle your claim, determine your damages, and fight for everything you are entitled to.

Call (912) 764-7388 or contact us online for a free, no-risk consultation. Give us a chance to earn your trust and respect.