Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents can cause traumatic injuries. In some cases, a rider may be out of work for several months. In other cases, a motorcyclist may be partially or completely disabled. When a motorcycle accident causes a rider to miss work, the person may be entitled to compensation for lost wages.
If you believe you have a claim for lost wages after a motorcycle accident, contact the Pinder Plotkin legal team for a free case review. Our experienced Maryland motorcycle accident lawyers can help you file an injury claim to help you recover compensation for your lost wages and other damages.
What is Included in a Claim for Lost Wages?
When you are injured in a motorcycle accident, your accident claim includes both financial and non-economic damages. Financial damages include your out-of-pocket losses related to the accident, your injury, and your recovery. Therefore, any income you lost as a result of the motorcycle accident can be included in your accident claim.
Loss of income includes any wages, salaries, bonuses, or other compensation you have lost from the date of the accident through the day the accident claim is settled. In addition, you may also be entitled to compensation for future lost wages. Future lost wages may also include a claim for loss of earning capacity if you can work, but your injury decreases the amount of income you can earn.
Calculating Lost Wages for a Motorcycle Accident Claim
Calculating lost wages for a motorcycle injury claim can be a complex undertaking. If you earn a salary, calculating lost wages may be as simple as multiplying your weekly salary by the number of weeks of missed work. However, you may also have lost income from bonuses, commissions, or other compensation that may not be as easy to calculate. If you earn an hourly wage that causes your paycheck to fluctuate, we must determine an average wage based on your past earning history.
Calculating future loss of income may require the assistance of one or more expert witnesses, including financial experts and medical experts. It can be difficult to estimate the value of lost wages when the person is disabled or has a diminished earning capacity. Factors that might be used to determine future lost wages include the person’s:
- Age
- Anticipated life expectancy
- Health
- Occupation
- Educational level
- Medical prognosis
- Earning history
- The severity of the injury
- Any income earned since the accident
- Ability to compete in the labor market
- Ability to perform other work
- Likelihood of future promotions and raises
In addition, other factors must also be considered when calculating future lost wages. For instance, what will the impact of not earning wages have on the person’s retirement accounts and other benefits? Other factors include projects related to the economy and the specific industry in which the victim worked before the accident.
Because the value of a lost wage claim can be a large portion of the overall value of a personal injury claim, it is important to work with an experienced Maryland motorcycle accident attorney. The Pinder Plotkin legal team works closely with you to document all losses of income, including working with financial experts to maximize the value of future lost wages.
Other Damages in a Motorcycle Accident Case
In addition to lost wages, a motorcyclist injured in an accident may receive compensation for other losses and damages. The injuries in a motorcycle crash can be catastrophic. The rider does not have the protection of being surrounded by a vehicle’s fame to absorb some of the impact of the collision. Therefore, the rider’s injuries can be severe.
When a motorcyclist incurs substantial lost wages, he usually also has other significant damages. Common damages that a rider may recover compensation for include:
- Medical expenses, including the cost of personal care and future medical care
- Property damage
- Travel expenses, assistance with household chores, and other out-of-pocket costs
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Permanent disability or impairment
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional stress
- Mental anguish and suffering
The amount of compensation you may receive for a motorcycle accident claim varies. Numerous factors must be considered when calculating the value of a claim. Factors that impact the value of your motorcycle accident claim include the type of injury sustained; the severity of the injury; the financial losses; and, whether you suffered any permanent impairment.
If you have been injured, you need to keep a detailed list of all expenses and losses, including copies of bills and receipts. Our Parkville motorcycle accident attorneys help you document your losses for your accident claim.
Contact a Maryland Motorcycle Accident Attorney for Help
You do not need to handle a claim by yourself. You can have an entire legal team supporting you and providing guidance as you file your claim. For a FREE consultation with a Parkville motorcycle accident attorney, call Pinder Plotkin LLC at 410-661-9440.
