The worst car crashes cause serious injuries and sometimes fatalities. If you are unfortunate enough to get hurt in a car crash, there will be a lot of immediate expenses for you to cover.
Obviously, you will require emergency medical care and possibly ambulance transportation to a hospital. You will also need to arrange to have your vehicle towed somewhere safe and repaired if possible.
As you undergo treatments for your injuries, you will have to cover mounting medical costs, and it could be weeks before you are able to go back to work. Some people will have to permanently change their careers because of a car crash injury. How do you recoup lost wages related to a car crash?
The other driver’s insurance may help
Every driver in New York should comply with the law by maintaining liability insurance coverage. At the very least, the driver who caused the wreck should have $25,000 worth of bodily injury liability coverage. You can claim up to $25,000 in medical expenses and lost wages from their policy, more if they carry a higher amount of coverage.
Unfortunately, especially if you earn a competitive wage or you require an extended leave of absence from work, your lost wages could amount to far more than the maximum amount available from the insurance company. What will help pay your bills in that situation?
You could bring a personal injury claim
New York law allows individuals to seek compensation for property damage and injury expenses when another person or a business caused their losses through misconduct or negligence. In a car crash scenario, you will typically bring a claim against the other driver.
If the driver was a professional on the job, you may also have grounds to bring a claim against their employer. Sometimes, such as when there is a defect in the vehicle or a history of improper maintenance performed by a mechanic, there could be a third party with some liability that may also have to help compensate you for the crash.
Reviewing the police report and other records from a motor vehicle collision can help you explore your options for compensation when you have lost wages or suffer from a long-term reduction in earning potential.