How Your Texas Personal Injury Attorney Can Help You Handle a Lost Wages Claim
If you or your loved one has been in a car accident in Texas, the effects can extend far beyond your physical injury – it can impact your ability to make a living and support yourself.
When your injuries are severe enough to prevent you from working, then you may be entitled to claim lost wages. The compassionate team of personal injury lawyers at Angel Reyes & Associates understands that lost wages can add a serious financial burden to an already stressful situation.
Under Texas law, you may be entitled to recover those lost wages, allowing you to focus on what truly matters – your recovery.
How Do I Claim Compensation for Loss of Earnings?
Chances are, after a serious accident, you may be unable to work for some time due to the extent of your injuries. In most cases, not working will result in lost wages, leading to significant financial hardship for you and your family.
In the Lonestar State, you may be entitled to recover the lost wages incurred after your car accident in Texas.
That said, this process is not automatic. You must file a lost wages claim and provide thorough documentation of your lost earnings. Proof of lost wages can include pay stubs, a letter from your employer, and tax returns.
According to a recent study, the average victim of a non-fatal accident will miss approximately 11 days of work with $1590 in lost income for the year. These lost wage figures can vary considerably based on the type of injury and the victim’s salary.
Partnering with a car accident or slip-and-fall lawyer is your best avenue for getting the proper compensation for your lost wages.
Understanding the Full Scope of Your Lost Wages Claim
Under Texas law, accident victims are well-protected by the right to recover lost wages from the responsible party.
That said, lost wages aren’t limited to only the earnings you have already lost due to missed time at work. It can also include future losses associated with long-term disabilities. This is especially relevant if you’ve been forced to take on a lower-paying position and can no longer perform the same type of work you did before the accident.
A skilled personal injury lawyer can help you recover more than just your basic salary or hourly pay. With competent legal representation behind you, you can expect to regain all forms of lost income due to your accident – including regular wages, bonuses, commission, missed business opportunities, and even vacation or sick time you were forced to take during your recovery period.
How Do You Prove Lost Wages in Texas?
In order to successfully recover your lost wages, you must provide thorough documentation of your accident and lost earnings. A skilled car accident attorney can help you with this process.
Pay stubs, tax returns, employer statements, and detailed medical records from your accident will provide the necessary proof of your lost wages. If your doctor decides your injury prevents you from going back to work, you may be entitled to temporary income benefits to be paid by your insurance carrier while you wait to complete your lost wages claim.
The Type of Work You Do Can Affect Your Ability to Claim Lost Wages
Every person’s employment situation is unique and, therefore, requires a tailored approach to claim lost wages.
It can be challenging to properly calculate lost wages, especially if your income fluctuates. Ultimately, the value of your lost wages claim will reflect the total income and benefits you would have earned if you weren’t prevented from working.
Whether you’re an hourly worker, salaried employee, self-employed professional, or commission-based salesperson, a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer will understand how to properly document and calculate your losses.
Claiming Lost Wages for Hourly and Salaried Employees
For hourly and salaried employees, the calculation for lost wages is typically straightforward and based on regular pay documentation.
Claiming Lost Wages for Self-Employed Individuals
Self-employed individuals require more complex documentation, including business records and client contracts, to detail their fluctuating income.
Claiming Lost Wages for Commission-Based Workers
Commission-based workers need a more detailed analysis of historical earnings to project their lost wages.
Navigating the Long-Term Career Impact of Your Car Accident Injury
If your accident has resulted in permanent changes to your career trajectory, you may be entitled to longer-term compensation for lost wages.
When an injury forces you to change careers, accept lower-paying work, and limit your professional growth potential, you ultimately face future losses in addition to the lost earnings you’ve already incurred.
With the help of a personal injury lawyer and a skilled vocational expert, you can demonstrate how the accident has affected your current and future earning potential.
Take Back Your Lost Wages with a Texas Personal Injury Lawyer at Angel Reyes & Associates
The compassionate team of personal injury lawyers at Angel Reyes & Associates brings over 30 years of experience to your lost wages claim. Our compassionate personal injury lawyers can help you understand your rights to recover lost wages. We will calculate and document the extent of your lost wages while working with the necessary experts to negotiate effectively with insurance companies and get the best possible settlement.
Don’t let the uncertainty prevent you from pursuing what is rightfully yours. We understand firsthand the stress that lost wages can cause for you and your loved ones, and we’re 100% committed to helping you recover every dollar you deserve.
Anytime you have to deal with a lost wages claim, the struggles that arise can be overwhelming. However, you do not have to face this alone. Research shows that if you hire a skilled personal injury attorney to help recover your lost wages, you are likely to receive 3.5x more than you would if you tried to represent yourself. The compassionate team at Angel Reyes & Associates is fully committed to helping you navigate these challenges with skill and empathy.
Contact us today for a FREE consultation, or stop by one of our offices in Dallas, Fort-Worth, Houston or Austin so we can discuss your case face-to-face. Don’t wait, don’t hesitate.
At Angel Reyes & Associates, we vow to be here for you every step of the way as we fight to take back your lost wages.
