If you were involved in a car accident, you may have suffered debilitating injuries that impact your ability to work. While you are healing from your injuries, you might be wondering how you will afford to pay for your medical treatment — as well as your mortgage or rent payments, grocery and utility bills, as well as your other daily expenses. Fortunately, there are a few options to consider that can help you make ends meet until you receive your personal injury settlement or verdict for lost wages and your other accident-related damages.
What are My Options for Income After an Accident?
Many car accident-related injuries require extensive medical care, including hospitalization, physical therapy, surgeries, medication, and various other treatments. Often, these types of injuries can leave you out of work for a period of time while you are recovering. You may be able to file a personal injury claim to recover the lost wages you incurred while out of work if your accident was caused by someone else’s negligence. However, these claims should not be rushed — it can sometimes take a considerable amount of time to negotiate or litigate your case in order to obtain the monetary settlement you deserve.
Some options you might consider if you need income to cover your financial responsibilities while you are out of work due to an accident can include the following:
- Personal Injury Protection through your car insurance policy
- Worker’s Compensation
- A disability policy through your employer
- Disability insurance, if you are eligible
- An accident policy you may have purchased
- Savings or loans from family/friends
Critically, in New York State, all drivers are required to have no-fault insurance. Also referred to as “Personal Injury Protection,” no-fault benefits don’t only cover reasonable and necessary medical expenses. They also provide 80% of your lost earnings from your employment, up to $2,000 a month for three years from the date of the accident. In addition, no-fault insurance will provide up to $25 a day in reimbursement for traveling to and from accident-related medical appointments.
In the event the car accident took place while you were on the clock and engaged in your work duties, you may be entitled to Workers’ Compensation benefits. These can provide you with up to two-thirds of your average weekly wage.
What Lost Wages Can You Receive in a Personal Injury Settlement?
If you file a personal injury lawsuit for your car accident-related injuries, you may be entitled to recover your unreimbursed past lost wages. You may also be eligible to receive compensation for your future lost earnings, loss of future earning capacity, and loss of employment benefits. While past lost wages are simply calculated based on the days missed from work, many different factors go into calculating future lost earnings.
To determine the amount of compensation for future lost wages, a court would consider the scope of the victim’s injuries and whether they are likely to resolve in the future. Other factors a court would consider are the nature of the victim’s work and whether they would be able to secure other employment. It’s best to have a skillful personal injury attorney by your side who can fight for your right to the compensation you deserve.
Contact an Experienced New York Personal Injury Attorney
If you were hurt in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, carelessness, or recklessness, it’s essential to have a skillful personal injury lawyer by your side who knows how to secure the compensation you deserve — including monetary recovery for the full extent of your lost wages. Due to our deep knowledge and extensive experience, The Edelsteins, Faegenburg & Brown, LLP regularly obtains significant settlements and jury verdicts for our clients. Located in Manhattan, our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout New York City since 1937. Call to schedule a free consultation at (212) 425-1999 today.