What Happens If I Lose My Job Due to a Car Accident?

Many injured car accident victims in St. Louis are distressed after finding out they have lost their job.

Car accidents that cause traumatic injuries are often turning points in a victim’s life. Such a terrible event can impact one’s life in many ways, and it all comes suddenly. No one is really prepared for such a turnaround. 

Medical bills may be piling up, amounting to thousands of dollars, you may be dealing with medical investigations and treatment schemes, all while your ability to work is partially or completely lost. In some cases, the recovery period is so long that your employer may choose to replace you.

Being let go, on top of your health problems, can be terrible news. Fortunately, there are laws in place to protect people who might find themself in this kind of situation. 

What Income Loss Can You Include in Your Claim?

You can request compensation for any income that you would’ve earned if you were not in a car accident. This includes lost wages, business opportunities, benefits, profits, and so on. You must provide all the necessary information to prove that the amount you are requesting for lost income is justified. 

Ask for detailed financial reports from your employer, a schedule used to calculate your average working hours, and discuss with a doctor who can evaluate your ability to go back to work. Your doctor should be able to predict when you will be ready to go back to looking for a job. 

Besides providing this evidence, a statement and record from your previous employer will also be required to determine that your injuries were, indeed, the reason why you were let go. Be sure to get these in writing, as relationships with former employers can get hostile sometimes. 

Return to Work as Soon as You Can

Even if you receive benefits during your recovery, it doesn’t mean that you get a choice between going back to work and living off the benefits. As soon as you are physically and mentally able to return to a job, you are expected to do so. Putting it off and showing that you are not interested in working again can affect your damage award.

While Missouri doesn’t have a limit on how much you can get for personal injury caused by car accidents, you have to check the circumstances of your case to see if there are certain limits you have to take into account.

An Experienced Lawyer Can Help You Feel Secure While Recovering and Unemployed

In a situation like this, people can sense a feeling of despair and panic. Because car accidents are complicated, medical recovery is complicated and unemployment is also a complex matter, having a lawyer on your side to navigate through the whole process is very helpful. 

Get in touch with an experienced St. Louis auto accident lawyer and have them review the details of your case. They will help you get the compensation you are legally entitled to for your damages, injuries, and lost wages.