Were you injured in a car accident in Salt Lake City, UT? You have the right to seek compensation for lost wages if your recovery from the accident required you to miss work. Call McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers at (385) 462-7630 for a free consultation with a Salt Lake City car accident lawyer.
Our team has decades of combined experience handling car accidents and lost wage claims in Utah. We’ve recovered over $500 million for injured clients to date. You can trust us to handle your case with the attention and care it deserves.
In Utah, car accident claims often start with your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, which may pay a portion of your lost income and medical bills regardless of fault. If your injuries meet Utah’s threshold to step outside no-fault, you may also pursue additional lost wages from the at-fault driver. McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers can help coordinate PIP benefits and any third-party claim.
Here are some reasons people choose to work with our Salt Lake City personal injury lawyers:
Contact us today to schedule a free case review with a Salt Lake City car accident attorney.
Lost wages refer to the income you are unable to earn because your injuries prevent you from working after a car accident. Lost wages can apply whether you are paid hourly, salaried, or earn income through commissions, bonuses, or overtime.
Essentially, if your injuries keep you from performing your job duties, you may have a valid claim for lost income.
In Utah, compensatory damages are divided into two categories: economic and non-economic damages.
Lost wages are a category of economic damages, which are intended to reimburse you for measurable financial losses. The purpose of economic damages is to put you back in the financial position you were in before the accident occurred.
When you seek compensation for lost wages, you are asking to be reimbursed for the income you were unable to earn because of your injuries.
First, it’s important to know that PIP may cover only part of your wage loss and is subject to limits—so the amount you recover can depend on whether you’re only using PIP or also making a claim against the at-fault driver.
If you are paid hourly, your lost wages are determined by multiplying your hourly rate by the number of hours you missed. For example, if you earn $20 per hour and usually work 40 hours per week, missing four weeks of work would result in $3,200 in lost wages.
For salaried employees, the calculation focuses on the income you would have earned during the time you were unable to work. If your annual salary is $60,000, that breaks down to approximately $1,154 per week. Missing six weeks of work would result in about $6,924 in lost wages.
In more complex cases, lost wages may also include missed bonuses, commissions, or overtime opportunities.
To recover lost wages after a Salt Lake City car accident, you generally need to prove that your injuries prevented you from working. Evidence like medical records, doctors’ notes, and work restrictions can help establish this element.
You must also document the amount of income you lost. This is typically done using pay stubs, tax returns, or other pay records. A letter from your employer confirming missed work and your rate of pay can also be helpful.
An experienced personal injury lawyer can help gather and present compelling evidence of your lost wage claim.
Under Utah law, most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within four years of the date of the accident. However, certain circumstances can extend or shorten this deadline.
In all cases, missing the statute of limitations can prevent you from recovering compensation entirely. You should speak with a lawyer as soon as possible to avoid issues with the deadlines.
If you were injured in a car accident and your injuries have kept you from working, you have rights. McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers can help you seek full compensation for your lost wages, unused PTO, and future income losses.
Reach out to our law office today to schedule a free consultation. Our Salt Lake City car accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay attorney fees if we successfully recover a settlement or verdict on your behalf.
