I Was Injured in a PA Car Accident and Can’t Work. Can I Recover My Lost Wages?
Recovering Lost Wages After a Pennsylvania Car Accident
Yes — if your injuries from a Pennsylvania car accident have prevented you from working, lost wages are a compensable element of your damages claim. Whether you’re an hourly employee, a salaried professional, a self-employed business owner, or a gig worker, time you couldn’t work because of your injuries has real economic value, and you are entitled to seek recovery for it from the at-fault driver’s insurer or through a lawsuit.
What Lost Wages Include
Lost wages in a Pennsylvania car accident claim can encompass:
- Regular wages or salary you missed while treating or recovering from your injuries
- Overtime you regularly worked but were unable to earn due to your injuries
- Sick days, vacation days, or PTO you were forced to use for injury-related absences
- Self-employment income lost because you could not perform your work
- Business income lost by a sole proprietor who was unable to operate during recovery
- Future lost earning capacity — if your injuries have permanently reduced your ability to work at the same level or in the same occupation
First-Party Benefits: Immediate Wage Loss Coverage
Pennsylvania’s first-party benefits (sometimes called “PIP” or personal injury protection) under your own auto insurance policy may provide wage loss coverage while your third-party claim against the at-fault driver is being resolved. Pennsylvania law requires insurers to offer first-party wage loss benefits, though you may have waived this coverage. Check your declarations page to see what first-party coverage you carry.
Proving Lost Wages
Documenting lost wages requires evidence, including:
- Pay stubs and tax records showing your pre-accident earnings
- An employer statement confirming the time you missed and your rate of pay
- Medical records and doctor’s notes confirming you were unable to work
- For self-employed individuals, tax returns, client records, and accountant statements
The Erie car accident attorneys at Purchase, George & Murphey, P.C. help injured Pennsylvanians document and recover every category of economic loss, including lost wages. Contact us for a free consultation.
