Can I Recover Lost Wages After a Motorcycle Accident?
Motorcycle accidents often result in serious injuries that may prevent you from working while you recover. Unfortunately, lost wages after a motorcycle accident can place additional financial strain on you at a time when costly medical bills are piling up. This can make it difficult to pay your mortgage, car payment, groceries, medical expenses and other bills.
The good news is that you’re entitled to recover compensation for lost wages as part of a motorcycle accident lawsuit. At Pushchak Law, we understand the ways lost wages can impact your life in the aftermath of a motorcycle accident. Mr. Pushchak will help you document all lost wages so that you receive the full compensation to which you’re entitled.
What Can Be Included in My Compensation for Lost Wages?
Your compensation for lost wages goes way beyond the money you earn as part of your salary or hourly wages. You have the ability to receive reimbursement for a wide range of items associated with the financial compensation you receive as part of your job, including:
- Salary/Hourly Wages – If you were unable to earn your salary or hourly wage due to time missed at work while you recover, you can recover these lost wages as part of your motorcycle accident claim.
- Paid Time Off (PTO) – If you were forced to use PTO hours from your bank of sick days or vacation days, you can recover the value of the PTO used while recovering from your motorcycle accident.
- Tips – If you earn tips as part of your job, you can seek compensation for lost tips in addition to your lost hourly wages. It’s important to work with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer who knows how to accurately estimate the value of these lost tips.
- Overtime Wages – If you regularly work overtime hours at a higher pay rate, you have the ability to include the value of lost overtime pay as part of your compensation.
- Retirement Benefits – If you lose out on retirement benefits or matching employer 401k contributions due to missed work after a motorcycle accident, you can recover compensation for these benefits as well.
- Commissions – For many people, commissions associated with sales generated comprise a significant portion of their wages. You can recover compensation for lost commissions, but it will be important to work with an experienced attorney who can accurately estimate the value of the commissions you lost during your motorcycle accident recovery.
- Bonuses – If your motorcycle accident prevented you from achieving certain performance bonuses that are part of your total financial compensation, you may be entitled to recover the value of your lost bonuses as well.
Compensation for Lost Earning Capacity
You may also be entitled to recover compensation for lost earning capacity. This is slightly different than lost wages, which specifically refers to the lost income associated with missed time at work while you recover. In contrast, lost earning capacity refers to future income that you will no longer be able to earn if your motorcycle accident injuries prevent you from being able to perform your job responsibilities moving forward. In these situations, compensation for lost earning capacity will reimburse you for the difference between what you can currently earn and the wages you’re able to earn after your accident based on the limitations associated with any injuries or disabilities you sustained.
Calculating the value of compensation for lost earning capacity is a complex process that requires the assistance of an experienced motorcycle accident attorney. There are multiple factors which contribute to the value of this compensation, including:
- The nature and severity of your injuries
- Type of impairment or disability you’ve suffered
- Your pre-accident occupation, projected career path and associated salary growth
- Your current income and associated salary growth based on the new occupation you can obtain after your injury
- Any education, skills and other certifications you have that can contribute to an ability to elevate your income in the future
- The number of years you would expect to continue working before retirement based on your age
- Wage growth, inflation and market trends
- Wage standards in your geographic location
- Potential to retrain or transition to a different line of work based on the extent of your injuries and your remaining abilities
Documentation Necessary to Recover Compensation for Lost Wages
In order to recover compensation for lost wages, you’ll need to provide proof of the income you lost as a result of your motorcycle accident. The following documentation will play an important role in demonstrating the total value of your lost wages:
- W2 Forms – These forms show your total earnings for the year
- Pay Stubs – These provide a look at how much you earn per paycheck (usually biweekly or monthly) and are particularly helpful when trying to demonstrate the value of lost overtime wages
- Tax Returns – If you’re self-employed or have multiple income streams, your tax returns will play an important role in demonstrating your total annual income
- Notice from Your Employer – Your employer can provide an official letter that confirms the value of the income you lost from your accident by providing a detailed account of the amount of time you missed, your pay rate, and missed overtime or commission opportunities
- Job Offers – If you had to pass on certain job opportunities, short-term contracts or special projects while you recover, providing documentation of these offers can help prove the extra income they would’ve provided
Pushchak Law Can Help After a Motorcycle Accident
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by the negligence of another driver, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your damages. At Pushchak Law, we have extensive experience handling motorcycle accident claims, and we can help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Brian Pushchak has made motorcycle accident cases a primary focus of his practice. He understands how to estimate the value of lost wages associated with your accident, and his expertise will ensure your compensation reflects the total value of your loss. Mr. Pushchak’s specialization is critical to your ability to maximize the value of your compensation.
Mr. Pushchak has developed an exclusive Informed Decisions™ Approach focused on helping you receive the best possible outcome to your case. This approach arms you with the critical information needed to collaborate on your preferred legal strategy. After discussing your case with you in detail to understand your goals, Mr. Pushchak will explain the best strategies to achieve your desired outcome. You’ll have the opportunity to ask any questions necessary to understand your options, and Mr. Pushchak will always be available to you throughout the case whenever you have additional questions or would like a status update. While Mr. Pushchak will recommend the best strategy to achieve your goals, the final choice regarding how we proceed will be yours.
Please contact Pushchak Law today to schedule a free consultation. We serve clients in Denver and the surrounding areas of Colorado.
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