How do I Recover Lost Wages After My North Carolina Car Accident?

If you have suffered an injury from a North Carolina car accident, you may be unable to work. The fear of not being able to pay your bills may be causing you and your loved ones stress. Many of our clients need to receive compensation for their medical expenses and lost wages. Our clients often ask how long it will take for our clients to receive compensation for their past and future lost wages. Clients are often worried that the lost wages amount will be too low to pay the bills.

At Arnold & Smith, PLLC we have helped many clients recover lost wages. If you have suffered an injury in a car accident, we can help. Contact our Charlotte personal injury law firm to set up your free initial consultation today.

Determining the amount of lost wages requires extensive documentation. We recommend that our personal injury clients focus on recovering, but we understand the stress that comes with not being able to work. Many of our clients miss weeks, months, or even years of work due to their serious bodily injuries. The most important thing you can do after an accident is to document all of the work that you have missed. If you are self-employed or a contract laborer, be sure to document all of the potential work opportunities you have had to turn down because of your injuries.

Many factors go into calculating how much compensation you will receive for your lost wages. It is unwise to sign any paperwork related to your lost wages without speaking to an attorney. At Arnold & Smith, PLLC we fight hard to make sure that our clients are not taken advantage of during this process. We will advocate for you to receive a fair amount for your lost wages. If you have suffered a work-related injury, it is also essential to keep records of the following:

• Proof of any income from disability payments
• Past and present medical records
• Doctor’s notes
• Employer’s notes
• Stubs from previous paychecks
• The number of days of work you have missed
• The number of meetings you have missed

If your car accident happened at work, you might be entitled to workers' compensation. The North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act, requires that you give the employer notice of your injury within 30 days of the injury. If you are uncertain about whether your injuries qualify you to receive workers' compensation, we can help. One of our attorneys can review your case file and advise you as to the best way to seek compensation for your car accident injuries. If you do qualify for workers' compensation payments, the following factors will determine the amount of your payments:

• The amount of work time you missed as a result of your work accident
• Your responsibilities and job title at work
• Your gross income
• The average amount of hours you work
• Information about any annual raises or promotions to which you are entitled

It is crucial to thoroughly analyze the extent of your injuries to determine a fair amount for lost wages. If you have suffered a severe injury, you may not be able to return to work. In these instances, you need to make sure you receive enough compensation to cover your medical and living expenses for the rest of your life. Once you receive a settlement or damages at trial, you will not be able to seek more compensation. Obtaining the right amount of compensation, the first time is of critical importance.

If you are no longer able to work as a result of injuries you sustained in a car accident, we can help. Receiving an adequate amount of compensation is extremely important, especially if you are no longer able to work. At Arnold & Smith, PLLC we fight assertively on behalf of our clients. We conduct thorough investigations to determine the exact amount of lost past and future wages. Our skilled trial attorneys will fight for your interests out of court in settlement agreements. If the defendant fails to provide an acceptable settlement amount, we skillfully represent our clients at trial. Contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation.