Lost wages after a crash: what you can claim
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Missing paychecks since the crash? Call before you send the insurer a number.
Call about my wages(833) 716-6705
We answer 24/7, review your lost pay free, and connect you to a car accident lawyer paid only if you win.
What counts as lost wages
You can claim lost wages for every hour the crash kept you out of work, plus pay you can show you will lose later.
- Hours and shifts missed, at your normal rate.
- Overtime you were scheduled for.
- Sick days and vacation you had to use.
- Bonuses or commissions you lost because you were out.
- Time off for doctor and therapy visits.
The driver who caused the crash owes it. In a no-fault state, your own policy pays part of it first.
Proof you need
A short letter from your employer on company paper lists your pay rate, your usual hours and the days you missed. Pay stubs from the month before the crash back it up.
Your doctor's note is the other half. It says you could not work, and for how long.
Self-employed
You prove income with last year's tax return. The IRS Schedule C shows your business profit. Divide it by the weeks you work to get a weekly figure.
Invoices for jobs you had to turn down and messages from clients who went elsewhere help too.
Lost wages questions
Can I claim lost wages if I used sick days?
Yes, in most states. You spent paid leave you would have kept, so it counts as a loss. A letter from your employer showing the days used is the proof.
What proof do I need for a lost wages claim?
Pay stubs from before the crash, a letter from your employer with your rate and the days missed, and a doctor's note saying you could not work. Self-employed people add tax returns.
Can I claim pay I will lose in the future?
Yes, if a doctor says you cannot go back to the same work. That is called loss of earning capacity and usually needs an expert.
Does Florida PIP pay lost wages?
Florida PIP pays 60 percent of lost income, up to its $10,000 total. See the no-fault page.
What to do now
Call about my wages(833) 716-6705
We answer 24/7, review your lost pay free, and connect you to a car accident lawyer paid only if you win.
Once you send the insurer a number, it can be hard to raise later. Most states give you two or three years from the date of your crash to sue, and that clock is already running. Call now with your pay stubs so a lawyer can check your figure first.