Recovering lost wages after a pedestrian accident in Cincinnati can be extremely overwhelming. One reason why is because most likely the victim will not be working for several months. Knowing how to handle the claims process may be all that stands between you and the recovery of lost income due to your misfortune.
The best pedestrian accident attorneys in Cincinnati have the experience to make all the difference. They can represent the victims and obtain the full compensation that they are entitled to.
The sections below talk about the income or wages a pedestrian accident victim loses during their recovery.
Document Your Lost Income
Victims who have a salary or are paid on an hourly basis should begin by collecting pay stubs, tax returns, W-2 or 1099 forms, and recent bank statements.
If self-employed, make copies to support the income claims with recent invoices, contracts, profit and loss statements, and business tax filings.
It’s also useful to show a track record of your average income over several months or years to provide a comprehensive view of your usual earnings, which can be helpful in proving the financial impact of lost work time.
Obtain Medical Records
Your medical records must clearly state the extent and nature of your injuries and how these impairments directly affect your ability to work. This documentation can include notes from doctors, surgical reports, and therapy recommendations, all of which help prove that your inability to work was a result of accident-related injuries.
Additionally, obtaining a physician’s recommendation about when you may resume work or your restrictions (such as light duty or limited hours) can strengthen your case for compensation for lost wages.
Get a Letter from Your Employer
This letter should confirm your position, salary, and the exact dates or period for which you were not able to work because of the accident.
If you had been scheduled for overtime hours, extra hours, or some special project during your absence, having your employer detail what you could have earned may add weight to your case.
A written confirmation from an employer helps to solidify your lost wage claim, making it more difficult for insurance companies to question the financial impact of your injuries.
Consider Future Losses and Overtime
Unfortunately, some injuries have effects that can last a lifetime and may prevent you from ever again working at full capacity or in the same job you worked before the injury.
In these cases, future lost income needs to be calculated. You may also want to consider lost bonuses, promotions, or overtime opportunities.
An economic or vocational expert can thereby provide needed estimates regarding these future losses and develop an articulate projection of how the accident affected your financial stability, both in the short and long term.
File a Claim with the Insurance Company
Once you have your evidence, send it along with a written claim to the at-fault party’s insurance company.
Be prepared, if necessary, for further negotiation beyond that point as adjusters try to low-ball the settlement. With solid documentation and, preferably, a consultation over the situation with a legal professional, you will be in a better position to negotiate and argue for your claim.
You may even need to file a lawsuit, sometimes, if the insurance company does not offer a reasonable settlement for lost wages and other damages.
Seek Legal Assistance
Lost wage claims can be hard and tiresome, and often even more frustrating if insurance companies do not want to pay.
By retaining a Cincinnati personal injury attorney who has experience handling pedestrian accidents, you will have someone to develop your case, negotiate on your behalf, and hopefully recover your lost income, along with related medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more.
An attorney will also be able to advise you whether a settlement offer is fair and that you meet all filing deadlines in Ohio so that your case remains alive.
