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How to Claim Lost Wages from a Car Accident | Tatum & Atkinson

How Do I Make Up for My Lost Wages Until I Get My Check?

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In North Carolina, if you’ve been injured because of someone else’s negligence, you’re entitled to be reimbursed for the income that you lose while you’re recovering. However, the bad thing about this is that the negligent party’s insurance company typically won’t currently pay you for these losses that you’ve sustained during your time away from work. This means that your lost wages won’t be paid until you have reached a settlement agreement with the at-fault party’s insurer. And this presents an uncomfortable position of trying to make up for your lost wages until you get your settlement check, which won’t happen until you sign a release.

A release terminates your right to further compensation for damages related to your accident or negligent event. Keep in mind that getting to the final settlement isn’t always a quick path. If there are contested issues, filing a lawsuit may be an option, which would further delay the process and further delay payments. An experienced PI attorney can help you decide what’s your best route. Contact us at Tatum & Atkinson for legal insight and guidance and to get started on your winning case with us today.

While you’re working on a resolution of your PI claim, you might feel like you’re in limbo and your bills don’t stop just because you’ve been injured. On the contrary, you’re probably incurring more bills and debt than you did prior to your accident.

What about Medical Payments Insurance?

North Carolina insurance companies offer medical payments insurance (sometimes referred to as MedPay) to car accident victims. NC is an at-fault state where MedPay assists with hospital bills after a car accident. This is not to be confused with personal injury protection (PIP), which is found in states with no-fault. While both PIP and MedPay help with medical bills after an accident, an important distinction is that MedPay does not have a provision for lost wages.

Possible Money Options

Before you receive compensation and you’re still getting medical treatment, you probably have to look to other means of finances when you’re not able to go to work and rely on regular income. Some possible options include the following:

  • Personal savings that you have put away for emergencies or money from family and friends
  • Long-term or short-term disability insurance that you got through your employer or via your own purchase
  • An accident policy or a disability policy that you got through your employer or via your own purchase

Lost Wages and Benefits

Lost wages should be a part of your personal injury claim and always are when you work with us. You have the right to collect reimbursement for lost income from your base pay, and the financial value of other benefits you rely on from your employer. However, the insurance adjuster won’t approve reimbursement for time off work that isn’t medically necessary and directly related to your work.

Get Help from a NC Personal Injury Attorney

It is difficult to recover from your injuries and to put your life on hold as you wait for your compensation. A dedicated personal injury attorney advocates for you and works efficiently to help you get compensated as quickly as possible. That’s why you should get in touch with us here at Tatum & Atkinson. One bill that you don’t have to worry about now is our attorney costs. You don’t pay a thing until we win for you. Contact us today to learn more.