If you have been injured in a car accident and have had to miss work, you may be able to get those lost wages back. Missing work due to injuries sustained because of the negligence of another driver is part of the damage package that you may receive in a personal injury settlement. You can also expect to have your vehicle repaired or replaced, your medical expenses fully covered, and be paid for the emotional impact that the accident has had on you and your family, known legally as "pain and suffering". Since missing work for medical treatments, hospitalizations, and recuperation because of the accident are to be expected, you need to understand how these damages are calculated and what to expect from the at-fault driver's insurance company, so read on for more information.

What Are Lost Wages?

When you begin to notate your time lost from work, be sure to include not only time away for medical appointments but also for the time for the commute back and forth to these medical obligations. Additionally, if a spouse had to lose work to help care for you, their lost wages should also be part of the demand for compensation. Stay organized and up-to-date with a calendar that reflects all time lost from your work, and be sure you can prove any notations with medical receipts.

Documents Needed to Prove Lost Wages

No matter what type of work you do or your schedule, you are entitled to be "made whole" by compensation. Make sure you have the following documents on hand:

• Salaried and hourly workers: a letter from your company stating your usual salary amount and working hours and/or several weeks of pay stubs or statements.
• Self-employed workers: several months of bank statements showing deposits and/or your most recent tax return (submit just the first page of that tax return—your schedule C is not needed and you should deny any such request).

Sick Leave and Vacation Pay

Paid time off is a valuable perk, and you should not be expected to waste that benefit due to another driver's negligence. Be sure that you notate any vacation or sick leave that you had to use due to this accident.

Potential Lost Wages

Missing work can mean more than just lost wages; it can mean an impact to your career. If you missed work, a training, an important client meeting or the opportunity to earn a bonus, you are entitled to be compensated for that potential income lost because of the accident.

Lost wages are an important and valuable consideration in your personal injury claim. Be sure to speak with an attorney, such as Carl L. Britt, Jr., today.