If you work with an attorney during a car accident claim in West Virginia, he or she will most likely bring up the topic of lost wages. Lost wages are a category of economic damages many crash victims have the right to seek during an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Ignoring the topic of lost wages could lead to missed opportunities for financial recovery after a car accident.

Defining Lost Wages in an Accident Claim

When you file an injury claim with an automobile insurance company, your claim will list the damages, or losses, for which you are seeking reimbursement. The insurance company will review your claim and either accept or deny the amount you are requesting. You can improve your chances of securing a successful settlement with a detailed breakdown of all the damages you are seeking from the insurance company – including your lost wages.

Lost wages can refer to any money you missed and may continue to miss in the future because of your car accident. If you had to request unpaid time off work to visit a doctor, go through medical treatments, set up disability accommodations or take your vehicle to the shop, you could seek reimbursement for your missed wages from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. You could also seek restitution for any missed wage-earning opportunities because of your injuries, such as a promotion, raise, overtime, vacation hours, commission, bonus or other perks.

Lost Wages vs. Lost Capacity to Earn

A subcategory under lost wages is lost capacity to earn. This type of damage refers to the income you reasonably could have earned in the future were it not for your accident-related injuries. Lost earning capacity is most commonly claimed after accidents that cause catastrophic and permanently disabling injuries, such as spinal cord injuries or brain damage. The impairment of earning power may apply if a car accident forces you into premature retirement or gives you no choice but to take a lower-paying job because of a disability.

Estimating the future loss of earnings typically takes reviewing your past work experience, education and skills. Then, you or your attorney will meet with a medical expert to determine your point of maximum medical improvement. The medical examiner will estimate how long it will take for you to fully recover, if ever. Then, your West Virginia car accident attorney can combine your projected future earnings with the extent of your injuries to estimate your total future wage losses.

Lost capacity to earn is more difficult to prove than lost wages since they are projected losses rather than documented existing losses. Hiring a personal injury lawyer in West Virginia to calculate and prove your lost earning capacity can improve your odds of securing this type of compensation in West Virginia. Your lawyer can take your personal work history and medical records into account, as well as factors such as current wage rates, during calculations.

How To Recover Lost Wages

If you wish to seek financial recovery for lost wages after a car accident, first list it as one of your damages on an insurance claim. File your claim as soon as possible after the car accident. The insurance company may get back to you with a settlement offer within 30 days. If a settlement does not adequately cover your damages, you have two years from the date your car crash occurred to file a personal injury claim.

Lost wages fall under a personal injury in West Virginia; thus, your claim will follow all the same rules as a typical injury lawsuit. A civil claim with help from an attorney could enable you to recover the costs of your lost wages, lost capacity to earn, disability expenses, past and foreseeable future medical expenses, noneconomic damages, and other tangible or intangible losses.

Attorney Timothy Manchin established the Manchin Injury Law Group in 2011 after his law partner of more than 25 years became a West Virginia circuit court judge. His focus is on helping individual clients and entire families victimized by negligent acts.

  • Taylor Downs was easy to talk to (I do not speak the legal language well!) and was very upfront and honest about the entire process of my case. He kept me updated as the case progressed, and answered my relentless questions. The end result was a favorable settlement that I’m not sure could have been any better with anyone else. In short, go see Taylor if you have a case. Don’t be intimidated to go seek his help, he won’t blow your brains out with “legal speak”.

    - PAUL MOUSER

  • Being referred to Taylor was the best thing I could have asked for. Taylor and staff are very easy to talk to. I would highly recommend them to anyone.

    - DAWN FRISENDA

  • If I ever have to go through it again I would definetly call Taylor right away. The group was so helpful through my situation and handled everything that needed to be done. They made a stressful situation a stress free situation. With Taylor you dont have to worry about one thing. Definietly would recomend to anyone.

    - TAYLOR G.

  • Efficient, knowledgeable, and friendly.

    - NOAH SCHUMAKER

  • Taylor and Tim helped make a difficult moment in life, a little more bearable. Easy to communicate with and informative. I will absolutely recommend them to everyone.

    - ANONYMOUS

  • Manchin Injury Law Group, Took care of me when I got into a car accident while I was pregnant. Very scary moment for a first time mom but thankfully Manchin Injury Law Group had my back and treated me great. They made me feel as if I was part of their family. My son is now 7 Months Old and very happy and healthy. I’m very thankful for them for helping me through everything and getting me what we deserved. I 100% would recommend them to anyone. If I ever have an accident again they will be my number 1 phone call!

    - SHAWNNA SHAFFER

  • The support given helped me to feel like I was included in my personal injury case every step of the way. I was informed about the entire process throughout. It was amazing how quick the turn around time was and I would definitely recommend Attorney Timothy J. Manchin to anyone!

    - ANONYMOUS

  • Taylor and Kelly worked hard on my case so I didn’t have to. Thanks guys!

    - TERRI L. ARMENTROUT

  • Excellent experience dealing with Manchin Injury Law. They were very responsive, professional and easy to talk to. I did my homework before I hired a lawyer after my accident and I am so glad I found Manchin Injury Law Group. If you are injured, give them a call!

    - VILLA COVENANTS

  • Taylor and Tim helped make a difficult moment in life, a little more bearable. Easy to communicate with and informative. I will absolutely recommend them to everyone.

    - CHAD BILOTTA

  • Kelly and Taylor did all the hard work so that I didn’t have to. They both cared about my circumstance and got me a nice settlement. Taylor knows what he is doing and I felt comfortable with my case in his hands.

    - JASON + STACIE MORGAN

  • Great lawyers. They helped me with a West Virginia case.

    - JOSEPH SAUNDERS

  • Such a great experience with Taylor and this firm. Thankful for their diligence and their work on our case. Thank you to all!

    - RENEE FLORENCE WARNER

  • Had a easy and smooth experience with a great attorney so when you go there make sure you ask for Taylor.

    - TIM CROSS

  • My experience at the Manchin Injury Law Group was extremely positive, and I would recommend them to anyone who needs a compassionate and experienced lawyer on their side.

    - TAMMY LACARIA

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