How Can I Afford to Miss Work While I Recover from My Car Wreck?

On This Page

1. How Can I Collect Lost Wages After a Car Crash?
2. What Other Evidence Do I Need to Win My Claim?
3. What If I Cannot Return to My Old Job Because of My Injuries?
4. How Do I Talk to a Car Accident Attorney About My Case for Free?

LEGALLY REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

February 02, 2024

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

If you missed work because you suffered a serious and catastrophic injury in a car accident caused by another driver, you may be able to recover all of your lost wages. You may even be eligible for a payout to cover future income and benefits if you cannot return to work after suffering disabling injuries.

You can recover this compensation by:

• Filing a claim based on your no-fault coverage; and
• Filing a claim based on the other driver’s liability policy; or
• Filing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver.

The car accident lawyers at Berger and Green can help you choose the best option for you. We will investigate your case, calculate a fair value for your damages, and file claims for compensation. That way, you can afford to miss work while you recover from your car wreck. For a free consultation, call 412-661-1400 today.

How Can I Collect Lost Wages After a Car Crash?

In Pennsylvania, you have two ways to recover compensation for your lost wages: You can file a no-fault claim and a liability claim.

Filing a No-Fault Claim

All drivers have to carry no-fault insurance policies that cover medical expenses and some other related losses regardless of who caused the accident. As long as you carry this type of insurance, you should be able to file a claim after any car accident. This may allow you to collect some compensation to make up for your lost wages.

Filing a Liability Claim

If you can prove the other driver caused the accident, you may also be able to get money to cover any remaining lost wages by filing an insurance claim based on their liability policy. The state’s financial responsibility law requires all motorists to have this type of coverage. You are eligible to file a claim and try to recover your economic losses no matter if you carry full tort or limited tort insurance coverage.

What Do I Need to Prove to Win My Claim?

To win a claim based on the other driver’s liability insurance policy, we need to show the driver caused the accident and is legally responsible for your expenses and losses. If we can show the other driver acted in a negligent manner, we can hold them liable for your lost wages and other economic damages.

Proving negligence requires us to provide evidence of four things:

• The driver had a responsibility to act reasonably;
• They acted carelessly, recklessly, or unreasonably;
• This behavior directly led to the collision and your injuries; and
• You suffered physical injuries and financial losses, including lost wages.

We will conduct an investigation into your accident, call in experts, and build a solid case on your behalf before we file your claim. If the insurance company denies us a fair settlement, we are not afraid to take the case in front of a Judge.

What Other Evidence Do I Need to Win My Claim?

We also need to document your accident-related losses before we can demand a payout in your case. We can use two primary pieces of evidence to prove your lost wages.

A Doctor’s Note

Your doctor should provide you with a note to give to your employer about your work-related limitations. In many cases, this note says you are not able to work until the doctor releases you from treatment. Make sure to keep a copy of this note. We will need it as a part of our evidence to show you cannot work because of your injuries.

If your doctor tells you not to work, it is paramount that you listen to them. Working—especially if you have a strenuous job—can delay healing and worsen your injuries.

Documentation of Your Lost Wages 

We will also need a letter from your employer that documents the wages you lost out on because of your absence. This should include both your rate of pay and your time away from work. It should also document any sick time or paid time off you used during this period.

What If I Cannot Return to My Old Job Because of My Injuries?

If you cannot return to your previous job because of impairments stemming from your car accident, you may be able to recover compensation for your lost earning capacity.

By working with experts to prove your condition, we can try to recover the money and benefits you might have earned if the accident had never happened. This may be key in making ends meet if you sustain a permanent impairment or long-term disability and can no longer earn the living you previously could.

How Do I Talk to a Car Accident Attorney About My Case for Free?

If you have questions or concerns about how you can afford to miss work while recovering from your wreck, the car accident attorneys from Berger and Green are here to help. Call our office today at 412-661-1400 for a free case evaluation with a member of our team.