How to Get Lost Wages After a Car Accident in Texas

Recovering Lost Wages After a Car Accident in Texas

Car accidents can be life-changing events, and the financial consequences can be devastating. In addition to property damage and medical expenses, lost wages are a significant concern for many Texans. If you’ve been in a car accident in Fort Worth or anywhere else in Texas, it’s essential to understand your rights and the process of recovering lost wage compensation.

This article provides a comprehensive guide on recovering lost wages after a car accident in Texas, with expert insight from Varghese Summersett’s experienced personal injury attorneys.

What are Lost Wages in Texas?

Lost earnings potential or wages refer to the income a person misses out on due to an inability to work after a car accident. This may include:

• Salary or hourly wages
• Overtime pay
• Bonuses and commissions
• Self-employment income
• Vacation or sick leave used during recovery

How to Claim Lost Wage compensation from a Car Accident in Texas

To claim lost wages in Texas, you’ll need to follow these steps:

1. Report the accident: Inform your employer and the at-fault driver’s insurance company of your injuries and your intention to claim lost wages.
2. Gather documentation: Collect evidence to support your claim, including medical records, pay stubs, tax returns, and a letter from your employer confirming your absence from work.
3. Calculate your lost wages: Determine the total amount of wages you’ve lost as a result of the accident, including any benefits or other income sources.
4. File a claim: Submit your lost wages claim to the at-fault driver’s insurance company or, if necessary, file a lawsuit against the responsible party.

Proving Lost Wages in Texas

To successfully recover lost wages in Texas, you must provide evidence to prove your claim. This may include:

• Medical documentation: Records of your injuries and treatment, along with a doctor’s note explaining your inability to work.
• Employment documentation: Pay stubs, tax returns, and a letter from your employer detailing your job, hours, and pay rate.
• Testimony: Statements from coworkers or clients attesting to your inability to work.

Who Pays for Lost Wages in a Car Accident in Texas?

In Texas, the at-fault driver’s insurance company is typically responsible for paying lost wage compensation. However, if the driver is uninsured or underinsured, you may need to file a claim with your insurance company or pursue a personal injury lawsuit.

Insurance for lost wages in Texas

Texas law does not require drivers to carry insurance specifically for lost wages. However, you may have optional personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, which can help cover lost wage compensation and medical expenses regardless of fault. If you don’t have PIP coverage, you may still recover lost wages through the at-fault driver’s liability insurance or by filing a lawsuit.

What if the at-fault driver has no insurance? How am I compensated for lost wages?

If the at-fault driver has no insurance, you have a few options to seek compensation for your lost income:

1. Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage: Check your own auto insurance policy for Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage. UM coverage is designed to protect you in case the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your damages. If you have UM coverage, you can file a claim with your insurance company to recover lost wages and other damages.
2. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage: Texas law allows drivers to purchase optional Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, which can help cover medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who was at fault for the accident. If you have PIP coverage, you can file a claim with your insurance company to recover lost wages.
3. Personal injury lawsuit: If you don’t have UM or PIP coverage, or if these coverages are insufficient to cover your lost wage compensation and other damages, you can pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver. In this case, you would need to prove the driver’s negligence and your damages in court. Keep in mind that collecting compensation from an uninsured driver can be challenging, as they may not have the financial resources to pay a judgment.

It’s essential to consult with our experienced car accident attorney in such situations. Our skilled personal injury attorney can help you navigate the complexities of the legal system and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. If you need assistance with recovering lost wage compensation after an accident with an uninsured driver, contact Varghese Summersett today.

How does Texas law calculate lost wage compensation after a car accident?

In Texas, lost wage compensation is calculated based on the income you would have earned if the car accident had not occurred. This compensation includes the actual wages you lost, as well as any benefits and other income sources affected by the accident. To calculate lost wages in Texas, consider the following factors:

• Base pay: Determine your regular salary or hourly wage at the time of the accident. For hourly employees, multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you would have worked during your recovery period. For salaried employees, calculate your daily wage (annual salary divided by the number of workdays in a year) and multiply it by the number of days you missed due to the accident.
• Overtime: If you regularly worked overtime before the accident, include the lost overtime pay in your calculation. To do this, determine the average number of overtime hours you worked per week, and multiply this by your overtime pay rate (typically 1.5 times your regular hourly rate) and the number of weeks you were unable to work.
• Bonuses and commissions: If you earned bonuses or commissions as part of your job, estimate the amount you would have earned during your recovery period based on your past performance and include this in your calculation.
• Self-employment income: If you are self-employed, calculate your lost wage compensation by determining the average income you would have earned during the recovery period. You can use tax returns, profit-and-loss statements, and invoices to estimate your lost income.
• Vacation and sick leave: If you used vacation or sick leave while recovering from the accident, you can include the value of these days in your lost wage compensation calculation.

Once you have determined the total amount of lost wages, you can include this figure in your claim or lawsuit against the at-fault driver or their insurance company. Keep in mind that your calculations should be supported by documentation and evidence, such as pay stubs, tax returns, and medical records, to ensure a successful claim.

Lost Wages for Self-Employed Individuals in Texas

If you’re self-employed and unable to work due to a car accident, you can still claim lost wages. To do so, you’ll need to provide evidence of your income, such as tax returns and profit-and-loss statements, as well as documentation demonstrating how the accident has impacted your business.

How Varghese Summersett Can Help

Our experienced car accident attorneys at Varghese Summersett understand the challenges of recovering lost wage compensation in Texas. We will:

• Evaluate your case: Determine the strength of your claim and the potential compensation you can recover.
• Gather evidence: Collect the necessary documentation to support your lost wages claim, such as medical records and employment documents.
• Negotiate with insurance companies: Communicate with the at-fault driver’s insurance company to pursue a fair settlement for your lost wages.
• Represent you in court: If necessary, we will file a lawsuit and advocate for your best interests in court to recover the compensation you deserve.

Don’t let the financial burden of lost wages overwhelm you. Call Varghese Summersett today at 817-207-4878 or contact us online to discuss your case with our dedicated Fort Worth accident attorneys.