When it comes to car accidents, lost wages are defined as any money you would’ve earned from the time of the accident up until the settlement of your case. The wages must have been lost as a result of the accident. Lost wages can sometimes be referred to as “back pay” or “back wages” depending where you are from.
In most cases, lost wages happen due to an injury that is keeping a person from returning to work or performing their job properly. Injuries can be physical or mental, such as emotional distress, broken bones, or brain injuries. Additionally, if a parent has to miss any work to take a child to a medical or mental health care provider as a result of the accident, this is also included and can be recovered.
There are many types of lost wages that you can claim reimbursement for as a result of the injury or injuries you’ve sustained from the accident, including:
Hourly wages
Overtime
Bonuses
Sick days
Vacation days
Company perks
Tips (if regularly reported)