Have you or someone you love recently been involved in a car accident that has left you injured? Are the injuries you sustained too severe to participate in regular activities, such as working? If you were involved in an accident due to the reckless or negligent actions of another driver or entity, you may be entitled to compensation. It is important to work with an experienced attorney whenever you are injured in order to get compensation for the total scope of your issue. Insurance companies will do everything in their power to minimize the amount of compensation you receive, trying to chalk up your total damages to whatever your emergency room visit costs and that is all. When you work with the Law Office of Beverly R. Caruthers, you get more than the minimum. Attorney Caruthers fights for her clients to get justice in their cases, this means being compensated fairly for the severity of your accident.
So, what happens if I can’t work after a car accident?
There is no question, a car accident has the capacity to be both physically and mentally traumatizing for the individuals involved. Everything from the initial damage to your vehicle, the immediate physical trauma, and the lingering effects on your body and mind, can add up quickly, leaving you in a difficult position.
Unfortunately for victims of car accidents, the injuries you suffer in an accident are just the beginning of a stressful and often frustrating process. Seeking proper medical treatment is expensive on its own, but when your injuries are too severe to let you return to work, the difficulties are only magnified. You may be worried, wondering how you will be able to maintain your regular bills, newfound medical bills, and replace your vehicle, all while being too injured to work.
At the Law Office of Beverly R. Caruthers, our experienced Houston car accident attorney can help you navigate your options and work to recover all the compensation you are entitled to under the law. Car accidents leave you vulnerable, especially if you can’t work. Let us answer your questions, file the paperwork, and demand what’s right in your case today. We offer free, no-obligation case consultations to help you determine what your options are moving forward. We understand how devastating car accidents can be for you and your family, this is why we do everything we can to help you get the results you need for the compensation you deserve.
If you suffer an injury in a car accident that affects you from being able to work, your insurance company or the at-fault party’s insurance company may pay for your lost wages. Receiving lost wages usually is dependent on the injuries you suffer and the insurance company you work with. There are several different categories of reimbursement you may qualify for after your car accident in Houston.
Lost Wages After A Car Accident in Houston
In a car accident case, “lost wages” refers to the amount of money you would have earned from your employer from the time of the accident to the date of settlement or judgment. Your injuries must have directly resulted from the car accident, and not from any other previous events. For example, if you sustained a back injury and were unable to work for six months, you may be entitled to six months’ of pay that you would have otherwise earned if your back had not been injured.
Lost Earning Capacity After Car Accident
In addition to lost wages, there is also something classed as lost earning capacity. This refers to the amount of money you lost because your injuries prevented you from making as much money as you did before your accident. This may be due to a loss of hours, having to change positions to accommodate your injuries, missing work for medical appointments, missing work due to lack of transportation, and more.
Lost earning capacity is typically present in a case after a severe injury that led to a long-term disability. For example, if you broke your back and had to use a wheelchair for the rest of your life, your ability to earn as much as you did before may be reduced. In these cases, you may be entitled to compensation for your lost earning capacity.
Lost Opportunities After Car Accident
If the injury you suffered in your car accident made you miss out on an opportunity for employment or payment, you may be entitled to compensation for that lost opportunity. This is especially common with independent contractors or people who rely on commission for salary, after suffering an injury. In addition, if you missed a job interview due to your injury, you may be reimbursed for the potential earnings of the position you applied for.
Does Insurance Cover My Lost Wages After a Car Accident?
If you can’t work following a car accident that resulted in injury, the following insurance coverage may compensate you for wages or earning opportunities you lost:
Liability Bodily Injury Coverage – If your car accident was the result of another driver’s negligence or reckless behavior, you may be able to use the at-fault liability coverage to submit a claim for your lost wages. Working with an experienced Houston car accident attorney can help you to navigate these complex dynamics to maximize your compensation.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage – If you’re injured by a driver that is uninsured or inadequately covered, and your personal insurance includes uninsured or underinsured coverage, you may be eligible for compensation through that policy. Contact our office today to learn more about uninsured motorist coverage and how it can help you in your case.
Personal Injury Protection Coverage – In Texas, personal injury protection (PIP) insurance is mandatory, unless you sign a waiver declining the coverage. Rejecting the coverage may leave you unprotected if you’re suddenly injured in an accident and face high medical bills or lost wages. It is important to note that personal injury protection coverage pays you even if the accident was your fault, helping ensure you are able to get the care you need following an accident.
What Do I Need To Do To Get Compensation For The Work I Missed?
Missing work due to an injury you suffered in a car accident can be physically and financially devastating. Listed below are some things you should gather to help strengthen your case and get the financial compensation you deserve:
Report From Doctor – You will need a comprehensive report from your doctor acknowledging that the injury you suffered prevented you from being able to work. The report should detail your injury and give a timeline for how long the injury prevented you from being able to work. The report should also include any treatments, prescriptions, and medical bills that were used or incurred following your accident. Additionally, you will want to check if your insurance company has a report your doctor should fill out, these things come with time statutes and should be taken care of as soon as possible.
Report From Employer – In order to prove you missed work and to verify the amount of money you would have made, you will need your employer to make a report for you. Depending on your field of work, this could be a schedule of shifts, access to your tax returns, or other relevant information pertaining to your pay.
Report From Police – Having a police report following your car accident can be extremely helpful in cases that results in injury. If your case was not a simple situation where one driver was clearly at-fault, there may not be a ticket issued to either driver. Your police report should include a mention of injury, which will help strengthen the foundation for your claims.
Unfortunately, car accidents happen every day. While some of these accidents are fender benders that leave both parties with minimum damage, other accidents result in more serious consequences. If you have been involved in a car accident that has left you with an injury, our team can help you. We understand how difficult it can be to navigate the aftermath of a car accident. Not only are you injured and having to pay for medical bills, you may be unable to work, magnifying the difficulties you are experiencing. At the Law Office of Beverly R. Caruthers in Houston, we are dedicated to getting you fair compensation for the injuries you have suffered due to another driver’s careless or reckless choices.
We understand how complex car accident cases can be and know they are rarely as cut and dry as they may seem. The trauma of a car accident does not stop at the scene, it continues on as victims are faced with physical, emotional, and financial obstacles that they must overcome to return to normalcy. The expenses associated with your accident case can quickly become expensive, leading to thousands of dollars in medical bills, auto repairs, and lost wages. This is why it is important to work with an experienced car accident attorney who is willing to do everything they can to protect you following a car accident. Attorney Beverly R. Caruthers has a proven track record of getting her clients the compensation they deserve so they can move past the accident. She does not back down to predatory insurance companies and will fight for you to get justice in your case. Do not fall through the cracks trying to handle your accident on your own, instead work with our team!
Why Should I Work With A Car Accident Attorney?
Following a car accident, you may find yourself over your head with bills and expenses. Collecting compensation for an accident that was not your fault can provide vital financial support and necessary medical assistance to help you through this difficult time. The team at the Law Office of Beverly R. Caruthers is here to help you, so that you can move forward without having to worry about affording the things you need. Do not hesitate, contact us today to learn more about your options moving forward.
Spanish-Speaking Car Accident Attorney
Is Spanish your first language? Are you unsure how to navigate the complex legal world after being involved in a car accident that left you with injuries? You are not alone! At the Law Office of Beverly R. Caruthers, our team refuses to let a language barrier affect your right to justice and compensation. If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident and is in need of Spanish-speaking legal advice, our team is here for you. We make it simple for those who have been injured in car accidents to navigate the legal system in order to get the results they need to continue on in their lives. Schedule your no-obligation car accident consultation with Attorney Caruthers today. Our team will work with you every step of the way to ensure your needs are being met and that you are getting the treatment you deserve in your car accident case. Don’t hesitate, the sooner you call the more we can do to get you results in your case!
Best Car Accident Attorney in Houston TX
If you have been injured, experienced loss of income, or are unable to work because of a car accident, you can benefit from the services of a Houston car accident expert in your personal injury case. Whether you missed work due to an injury or due to not having access to a vehicle, Attorney Beverly R. Caruthers can help you! Our team works hard to bring the most efficient and practical solutions to your car accident case. Beverly R. Caruthers proudly serves and defends the Greater Houston area including but not limited to Baytown, Conroe, Crosby, Humble, Huntsville, Lake Jackson, Missouri City, Pasadena, Spring, Tomball. Our legal team is bilingual and offers Spanish speaking legal counsel for all of our clients. If you need legal representation following an incident don’t hesitate to contact Beverly R. Caruthers Law Office!
Caruthers Law Firm
Address: 4141 Southwest Fwy, Suite 400
Houston, TX 77027
(713) 526-9557
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