When a car crash forces you to take time off work, the financial strain can feel overwhelming. Medical expenses pile up just as your regular income stops flowing in. However, it is crucial to remember that Mississippi law allows you to seek compensation for lost wages after a car accident that another driver caused.
You can pursue compensation for lost wages through an insurance claim, a lawsuit, or both. You may be eligible to recover not only your regular salary or hourly pay but also overtime, bonuses, and other forms of compensation you missed while recovering from your injuries. In cases of severe injuries, you might also qualify to receive compensation for future lost earnings if you cannot return to your previous job.
File a Claim with the At-Fault Driver’s Insurance
Mississippi follows an at-fault system for car accidents. That means the driver who caused the crash bears responsibility for the resulting damage, including your lost wages. Your first step toward recovering lost income typically involves filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
To strengthen your personal injury claim, gather documentation right away. Request a detailed letter from your employer stating your regular work schedule, pay rate, and time you missed due to your injuries. You should also keep copies of your recent pay stubs and medical records showing why you could not work.
However, dealing with insurance companies is often more challenging than many people realize. Insurance adjusters may try to minimize claims or question how long you need to recover. They might also dispute the extent of your injuries or argue that you could have returned to work sooner. A skilled Gulfport personal injury attorney understands these tactics and how to counter them effectively.
Use Your Own Insurance Coverage
Even when the law supports your right to compensation, not all drivers carry the required insurance or have enough to cover all of your losses. If you have optional uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, you might be able to receive payment for lost wages through your own insurance. You should have UM/UIM coverage on your insurance policy unless you rejected it in writing. This additional protection can provide vital financial support during your recovery period.
File a Personal Injury Lawsuit
Sometimes, insurance coverage isn’t enough to compensate for your pure economic loss, particularly in cases involving serious injuries or extended time away from work. Or the at-fault driver’s insurance company may refuse to pay for your valid claim. In these situations, filing a personal injury lawsuit might offer the best path to recovering your full lost wages.
After a car accident in Mississippi, a personal injury lawsuit allows you to seek compensation for:
- Past lost wages – Your compensation can cover the income you already lost while recovering.
- Future lost wages – You can also pursue the income you will lose due to ongoing medical treatment.
- Lost earning capacity – This is the difference between what you previously earned and what you can now earn if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous occupation.
Determining your case’s worth requires a thorough evaluation of all aspects of your lost income claim. Your attorney may need to consult with medical experts and economic specialists to demonstrate the full extent of your wage losses, especially when your injuries affect your long-term earning potential.
Prove Lost Wages
Building a strong case for lost wages requires detailed documentation. Our Gulfport car accident lawyers can help you gather and present:
- Pay stubs establishing your typical earnings before your injury
- Bank statements showing your regular income patterns
- Tax returns verifying your annual earnings history
- Medical records documenting why you could not work
- Employment records confirming your position and earnings
- Expert testimony supporting claims about future earnings
Self-employed individuals and gig workers face unique challenges when proving lost income. Your legal team can help you compile business records, contracts, invoices, and other documentation to demonstrate your typical earnings before the accident.
Time Limit to File a Claim
Mississippi law sets strict deadlines for filing car accident claims. You typically must file your lawsuit within three years of the crash. Missing this deadline could prevent you from recovering any compensation, including lost wages.
While three years might seem like plenty of time, building a solid personal injury case takes careful preparation. The more time passes, the more likely it is that crucial evidence will disappear and witness memories will fade. You should speak with a Gulfport car accident attorney as soon as possible after your collision to protect your rights.
Do You Have Specific Questions? Contact Our Law Firm Today
At Haug, Farrar, Franco & Ruiz, PLLC, we have helped many Gulfport residents recover lost wages after car accidents. For over a decade, our dedicated legal team has secured substantial verdicts and settlements for our clients, including:
- $750,000 for a victim of a car accident involving an uninsured motorist
- $700,000 for a client who suffered severe broken bones in a motor vehicle collision
- $350,000 for a client who sustained serious injuries in a high-speed interstate accident
Past results don’t guarantee future outcomes, but numbers tell only part of our story. Our clients’ experiences speak to our commitment to providing personalized, effective legal representation, such as this one:
“I highly recommend Haug, Farrar, Franco & Ruiz, PLLC. Mr. Franco was my attorney and not only him but his staff were very helpful and professional. They helped me with my car wreck was able to not only get my medical bills paid but got my children money that is able to be put up for them when they get older. They always returned my calls and helped calm my fears. Thank you so much!” – Ashley B.
If you have missed work due to car accident injuries, we can explain your options for pursuing lost wages. Our attorneys serve clients throughout Gulfport, Ocean Springs, Biloxi, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. We handle car accident cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay no upfront costs, and we only get paid when we secure compensation for you.
Call our experienced Gulfport car accident attorneys today at (228) 872-8752 or complete our online form for a free consultation about your case. Let us help you demand the compensation you deserve for your lost wages and other accident-related losses.