Experiencing injuries in a car accident can significantly disrupt your life. You may need to take extensive time off from work while you recover, or, in the worst-case scenario, you may not ever be able to return to your previous job. Is it possible to recover lost wages after a car accident?
You may have a few different methods for seeking lost wages. A New York car accident lawyer can represent you through this process.
Options for Recovering Lost Wages After a Car Accident
Car accidents can be expensive. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that motor vehicle accidents cost Americans approximately $340 billion in 2019, which includes workplace losses among other expenses. This is equal to approximately $1,035 per U.S. resident. Medical expenses alone accounted for approximately $31 billion.
One of the unexpected costs you may face after a car accident is lost wages. Can you claim lost income after an accident? These are a few potential methods for seeking compensation for lost wages in car accident claims.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Coverage
New York car accident laws require drivers to initially file claims with their own insurance companies, regardless of who was at fault. New York drivers are required to carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage to pay for their own medical expenses and a portion of their lost wages after a crash.
PIP coverage can provide you with up to 80% of your gross lost wages, with a maximum of $2,000 per month. These benefits can extend for up to three years following the accident if you continue to be unable to work.
You can also check with your insurance company to determine whether you may have additional PIP coverage, which could increase the maximum to $4,000 per month.
The Other Driver’s Liability Insurance
A New York car accident lawyer can explain whether you may be eligible for additional compensation for lost wages through the at-fault driver’s liability coverage. This generally only applies if your accident meets New York’s “serious injury” threshold, indicating that your injuries were severe enough to warrant additional compensation.
New York State requires all motorists to carry liability coverage. This insurance would help reimburse the other driver, their passengers, and other injured third parties for physical damage and injuries resulting from an accident caused by the policyholder.
The minimum liability coverage requirements in New York are:
- $10,000 for property damage
- $25,000 for bodily injury per person
- $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
A Car Accident Lawsuit
If your accident meets the serious injury threshold and the at-fault driver’s liability insurance does not sufficiently cover your additional expenses, you may have grounds for a car accident lawsuit. This could allow you to seek both economic and non-economic damages arising from the accident, which may include lost wages. A personal injury law firm in New York can explain more about your eligibility for legal action.
Contact an Auto Accident Attorney in New York
Exploring all of your opportunities to recover lost wages from a car accident is important if you want to maximize your potential compensation. Our New York car accident lawyers can explain your potential recoverable damages in a New York car accident case and guide you through the compensation process.
Contact the Wohlgemuth Law Firm PLLC today at (718) 474-9100 to request a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do insurance companies pay for lost wages?
Your insurance company may pay for a portion of your lost wages after a car accident in New York. Lost wages would likely fall under your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, which is the primary outlet for seeking reimbursement after an accident, regardless of who was at fault.
Do compensatory damages include lost wages?
Compensatory damages in a lawsuit often include lost wages. These damages cover your direct expenses arising from the car accident, which can include the income you lost due to your inability to work while recovering. An attorney can explain the car accident lost wage compensation rules according to the specific details of your case.
How much compensation can you seek for loss of earnings?
In New York, you can seek up to 80% of your lost wages, or a maximum of $2,000 per month, through your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. You may have grounds to seek additional lost wages from the at-fault driver if your accident meets the serious injury threshold. Speak with a New York car accident lawyer for more information.
