A truck accident can be a life-altering event, leaving victims with serious physical injuries and large financial burdens. Among these burdens, lost wages can be one of the most significant. If your injuries prevent you from working, even for a short period, the loss of income can make it difficult to pay bills, cover medical expenses, and maintain financial stability.

Fortunately, accident victims in Huntsville and throughout Alabama have the right to pursue compensation for missed pay after a truck accident. But what evidence will you need to build your claim? And what happens if your injuries affect your long-term earning potential?

Learn what wages you can claim as part of your settlement and how an experienced Huntsville truck accident lawyer can calculate them accurately to help you receive the full compensation you deserve.

How Lost Wages Fit Into a Truck Accident Claim

Lost wages refer to the income you miss out on due to injuries after an accident. They can include the following types of pay:

  • Missed paychecks from being unable to work
  • Lost overtime opportunities if you regularly worked extra hours
  • Missed bonuses or commissions you would have earned had you been working
  • Compensation for PTO, including sick days and vacation time, used up while recovering from your injuries
  • Reduced earning potential if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or working in the same capacity

For many accident victims, losing even a few weeks of wages can make it hard to cover daily essentials and mounting medical bills. Proper documentation can help you recover lost income and provide financial stability to your family.

Documentation Needed to Prove Lost Wages

To get compensated for lost wages, you’ll need solid proof that your injuries kept you from working and how much you would have earned in that time.

Here are some of the most important documents that can help establish your lost income:

Documentation What It Calculates What to Gather
Recent Pay Stubs Determines regular earnings and missed pay based on usual work schedule. ●       Pay stubs

●       Direct deposit records

●       Wage statements (Form W-2)
Tax Returns Provides a baseline for expected earnings, especially for self-employed individuals. ●       Tax returns from previous years

●       IRS transcripts
Employment Contract Confirms salary structure and any additional compensation owed. ●       Signed employment contract

●       Offer letter

●       Pay structure agreement
Company Policy on Bonuses and Raises Helps calculate lost performance-based earnings like bonuses and raises. ●       Company handbook

●       HR policies on raises and bonuses
Timesheets or Work Schedules Verifies missed shifts or reduced hours due to injuries. ●       Work schedules

●       Timesheets

●       Overtime records
Bank Statements Supports claims for missed wages by confirming usual income deposits. ●       Bank statements showing payroll deposits

●       Business account records
Letter from Employer Validates the duration of missed work and the financial impact. ●       Written statement from employer

●       HR verification of missed days
Self-Employment Records Estimates lost income based on past business activity and contracts. ●       Business invoices

●       Client contracts

●       Profit and loss statements
Medical Records and Work Restrictions Demonstrates work restrictions and how long wages were affected. ●       Doctor’s notes

●       Work restriction forms

●       Disability assessments

The Role of Vocational Experts in Lost Wage Claims

In some cases, a truck accident can cause long-term or permanent disabilities that prevent you from returning to your previous job. You may be left with new physical limitations that mean you won’t be able to find work in as high paying a position as before. When this happens, your attorney may consult a vocational expert to help determine lost earning capacity.

A vocational expert evaluates:

  • Your previous job skills and experience
  • How your injuries impact your ability to work
  • Whether you can return to your previous job or if you need to transition to a new field
  • The difference between your pre-accident earning potential and your post-accident earning ability

For example, imagine you were a construction worker earning $50,000 a year. A truck collision resulted in severe spinal injuries, which left you unable to perform physical labor. A vocational expert determines you can only take a desk job. Unfortunately, the new job only pays $30,000. The difference of $20,000 per year in lost earning potential can be included in your claim. Your settlement should cover your reduced earning capacity through all of your future working years.

How Huntsville Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help

Managing a lost wages claim after a truck accident can be overwhelming, especially when you’re already dealing with painful injuries and financial stress, and even more so if you’re struggling with a newly acquired disability. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts by challenging the severity of your injuries or questioning the accuracy of your claim.

That’s why it’s essential to have an experienced Huntsville truck accident lawyer on your side. At Tyler Mann Injury Law, we can help you:

  • Gather the necessary documentation to prove your lost income
  • Work with medical and vocational experts to calculate future lost earnings
  • Negotiate with the insurance company to ensure you receive fair compensation
  • Take legal action if the insurance company denies or undervalues your claim

We understand how devastating a truck accident can be for you and your family. Lead attorney Tyler Mann uses his experience as a former insurance claims manager to challenge aggressive trucking company insurer tactics. Our legal team fights for a settlement that covers all lost income, helping you regain financial stability.

Contact Us Today for a Free Consultation

If a truck accident has left you unable to work, you deserve compensation for your lost wages and financial hardships. Let our Huntsville truck accident lawyers help you manage the claims process and secure the compensation you need to move forward.

Call us today for a free consultation. We can discuss your claim, provide a free case evaluation, and help you start on the path to fair compensation.