Being injured in a car accident in Albuquerque, NM, creates numerous problems for the victim. They may sustain serious injuries and experience extensive pain. Because of their injuries, they may miss a great deal of time from work, resulting in substantial lost wages.
Lost wages after a car accident in Albuquerque can cause a financial strain for you and your family. Fortunately, you can file an insurance claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company seeking compensation for lost wages and other damages caused by the car accident. However, you’ll need an experienced car accident lawyer to help you prove the legal elements of a negligence claim and recover compensation for damages.
At Curiel & Runion Personal Injury Lawyers, we are dedicated injury lawyers with more than 55 years of combined experience. We have a proven track record of winning cases for our clients with a 98% success rate. We have helped thousands of clients by winning more than $30 million in jury verdicts and settlements.
We are available 24/7 to discuss your case with you. Call our personal injury law firm today at (505) 785-7770 to schedule your free consultation with an Albuquerque car accident lawyer.
How Curiel & Runion Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You Obtain Compensation for Lost Wages After an Albuquerque Car Accident
Seeking reimbursement for lost wages after a car accident should be a straightforward process. New Mexico is a fault state for car accident and personal injury claims. Proving the other driver caused the car accident should be sufficient to receive fair compensation for damages.
However, insurance adjusters protect the best interests of the insurance company. They work to undervalue and deny claims. Therefore, you cannot trust an adjuster to do the right thing or the insurance company to treat you fairly.
Experience counts when you hire a personal injury lawyer to help you with a car accident claim in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Numerous organizations have recognized our personal injury lawyers for their legal expertise and client satisfaction, including Super Lawyers and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
When you hire our top-rated car accident lawyers in Albuquerque, you can expect us to:
- Investigate the car accident to gather evidence proving causation and fault
- Document your lost wages and other damages to maximize the value of your personal injury claim
- File an insurance claim and aggressively pursue a fair insurance settlement
- Work with leading experts in their fields to obtain opinions and additional evidence to support your claim
- File a car accident lawsuit and take your case before a jury if necessary
Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation. We are here to help you pursue a claim for lost wages and other damages after a car crash.
What Is a Lost Wages Claim in an Albuquerque Car Accident Case?
Lost wages represent the income you would have earned had you not been out of work because of a car accident injury. Loss of income is included in economic damages for a personal injury claim.
Lost wages include, but are not limited to:
- Hourly wages
- Overtime pay
- Salaries
- Commissions
- Bonuses
- Tips
- Freelance and independent contractor income
- Income from a second job
- Business income
A lost wages claim may also include the value of benefits you lose because you were out of work, such as matching retirement contributions, paid time off, sick pay, and vacation time. If you sustain a permanent impairment, lost wages can also include diminished earning capacity and future loss of income.
What Is the Value of My Lost Wages in an Albuquerque Car Accident Case?
Your lost wages claim is the total of all income you would have received had you been able to work a regular schedule after the car accident. For example, if you are paid weekly, you multiply your weekly wages by the number of weeks you were out of work. If you earn an hourly wage or other income that fluctuates, you use the average income you earned in the months before the accident.
To recover lost wages, you must prove that your injuries prevented you from working. Therefore, you need accurate and detailed medical records. You may also need a statement from your physician explaining why your injuries prevented you from working.
You also need proof of your income. Tax records, a letter from your employer, copies of pay stubs, and other evidence of income are required for a lost wages claim.
Several issues can make it more complicated to calculate how much a lost wages claim is worth. Examples of situations that are more challenging to deal with include:
- Self-employment income
- Being able to work some, but not enough to earn your full wages
- Loss of benefits
- Income from a business
- Earning bonuses, tips, and commissions
- Sustaining permanent impairments that impact future earnings
Our legal team understands how to deal with the complex nature of lost wage claims. We work with financial professionals, medical specialists, and other experts as necessary to ensure we maximize the value of your claim.
What Is the Deadline for Filing a Lost Wages Claim After a Car Accident in Albuquerque, NM?
The New Mexico statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is three years from the injury date. The standard deadline applies unless there are exceptions to the rule.
Exceptions to the general rule could shorten the time to file a claim. Therefore, we recommend you speak with one of our injury lawyers as soon as possible after a car accident.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Albuquerque Car Accident Lawyers
You do not have to accept a settlement from an insurance company without legal advice. It is in your best interest to talk with our attorneys before you agree to settle a car accident claim. Your case could be worth more than the insurance adjuster offers for settlement.
Our legal team at Curiel & Runion Personal Injury Lawyers cares about you and your family. We stand up for your right to a just outcome. Call us for a free case review from one of our experienced Albuquerque car accident attorneys.