If you or a loved one was injured in a Columbus car accident, you will need to understand how lost income is calculated for a car accident claim. There are multiple variables to determine lost income, such as the total number of days you’ll be away from work, your base income before the accident, and whether you will miss out on tips, bonuses, and promotions.
The driver whose negligence caused the accident can be held accountable for reimbursing you for the income you missed. A Columbus car accident lawyer can help you recover these damages. They will also help you assess the additional damages you can recover and clarify the appropriate filing deadline.
What Types of Income Can You Recover From a Columbus Car Accident Claim?
According to Ohio Revised Code Section 2315.18, you can recover all forms of income, such as wages and salary, you lost because of an injury. Lost income can include:
- Part-time work
- Full-time employment
- Freelance income
- Business losses
A lawyer can make sure to account for your full recovery time and include all possible forms of income in your personal injury claim. They can help you calculate the value of uncommon types of wages, including gig-economy income like food delivery and rideshare services.
Your lawyer can also help you assess future lost earnings. This form of compensation represents income you possibly could have achieved before the accident but now won’t because of long-term or permanent disabilities.
Are There Other Types of Damages You Can Recover From a Car Accident Claim?
The injuries you incur in a car accident can mean more than lost wages. They can also mean costly medical expenses, which can be difficult to cover since you will not be working. In addition to calculating your lost wages, your lawyer will explain who pays your medical bills while your case is still pending. You could claim compensation for your current and future medical bills, including therapy and rehabilitation.
Your car accident attorney can also assess the value of these additional recoverable damages:
- Treatment-related travel expenses
- Property damage or destruction
- Diminished property value
- Physical disability or disfigurement
You can also recover damages for your pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life you experience due to your injuries and the recovery process.
Do You Need a Lawyer to Resolve a Car Accident Claim in Columbus?
You can handle your car accident claim on your own. It will involve accurately calculating your damages and negotiating a settlement with the insurance company. When you hire a car accident lawyer after a collision in Columbus, they will take all of the following actions for you:
- Calculate your total lost income and financial damages
- Prove the at-fault driver’s negligence
- Canvass for photos and video footage
- Speak on your behalf with all relevant parties in your case
- Answer any legal questions and concerns you may have
- Provide ongoing updates on your case
- Negotiate a favorable monetary settlement
- If a settlement cannot be reached, represent you in court
While your lawyer handles the financial recovery of your case, you can focus your time and energy on your physical, mental, and emotional recovery.
Can a Lawyer Explain Ohio’s Car Accident Statute of Limitations?
Understanding the statute of limitations in your case can be challenging since it can change based on many factors in your case. In general, Ohio Revised Code Section 2305.10 gives you up to two years to file your personal injury lawsuit.
That deadline can change based on certain exceptions, such as the injured party being a minor. Your lawyer will clarify the filing deadline for your case and the risks involved in not filing your car accident lawsuit on time.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Columbus?
It will not typically cost you anything up front or out of your own pocket to have a lawyer represent you. Most car accident lawyers in Columbus work on a contingency fee basis, meaning the law firm will cover all the costs of preparing and resolving your claim.
You will only compensate them after they recover damages for you. If your case is not resolved with a financial award, you will not owe any fees at all. That makes working with a lawyer in your area risk-free and takes the hard work and details of your case off your shoulders.
What Documents Prove the Value of Your Lost Wages in Columbus?
The at-fault driver’s insurance company will request proof of the value of your compensation request. Your lawyer will collect evidence that documents your injuries and damages after the Columbus car accident. To prove the value of your lost income, your lawyer may collect:
- Paycheck stubs
- Direct deposit records
- Tax forms
- A letter from your employer
Your lawyer will also collect medical records and bills from every medical professional and facility where you received treatment. These documents help establish your current health, required treatments, and your projected full recovery. They will also note when your healthcare provider approves your return to work and at what capacity.
What Other Evidence Does Your Car Accident Claim in Columbus Require?
To prove causation, your lawyer will prove the at-fault driver owed you a duty of care and breached that duty. They will prove the accident would not have happened without the negligent driver’s actions and prove it had financial consequences.
The evidence your legal team collects to build your case file will include such things as your car accident report and statements from lay and expert witnesses. They will use the weight of the accumulated evidence to resolve your case with a settlement rather than a trial.
Get Your Free Columbus Car Accident Case Consultation
If you or a loved one was injured in a recent car accident, you can recover damages for your lost wages and other losses. Our car accident lawyer will explain how lost income is calculated in a Columbus car accident claim. We will also explain how we assess the overall value of your case.
Learn more about your compensation options by contacting our consultation team at The Fitch Law Firm LLC today.