If you were hurt in a Virginia car accident for which another driver was at fault and are unable to work due to your injuries, you are entitled to collect financial compensation for your damages including your lost income. Unfortunately, for the self-employed, proving your income is significantly more challenging than it is for those who earn a traditional paycheck through their employer.
Are there any financial recovery options for me if I am self-employed and injured in a Virginia car accident?
If you want to learn more about how your self-employment income will be calculated after a car accident, speak with the Virginia car accident attorneys at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp. Our personal injury firm has the resources and experience you need to achieve a favorable result in your personal injury case. Call us to schedule your free consultation.
What Is Considered Lost Income?
A person who works as a conventional employee and is paid through the company payroll will be able to prove their lost wages based on their past pay stubs. Most people who are self-employed, however, have multiple avenues of income. If you are self-employed and you sustained injuries that prevented you from working after a car crash, some examples of lost revenue you might have experienced are:
- Lost income from unfinished contract work
- Loss of ability to seek new business opportunities
- Loss of faith of current customers or clients for whom you were unable to provide verbally agreed-upon or contracted services
How Do I Prove My Lost Wages?
Showing proof of the wages you have lost when you are self-employed usually demands more evidence than the standard W-2 form that a person who is traditionally employed would be able to use. Instead, you have to reference documents including your:
- Latest invoices from any current clients or customers
- Tax forms, such as 1040s and 1099s
- Proof of any current contracts, including any financial information like your rate of pay or the total invoice amount, along with the hours you normally work or were expected to work according to the contract
- Statements from customers or clients pertaining to future work opportunities that you missed due to your injuries
Along with these documents, you will probably also need your medical records as well as a statement from your doctor that says you were not physically able to work because of your car accident injuries.
If you are self-employed, proving lost projected income is especially problematic because you have no guaranteed future work from clients or customers. You may need to seek expert testimony from business valuation or financial professionals who will be able to model your lost projected income by examining your loss of faith and any missed business prospects.
How Can a Virginia Car Accident Attorney Help Me?
While proving your lost wages from self-employment after being injured and unable to work due to a car crash sounds complex, our experienced Virginia car accident lawyers are here to offer the legal guidance you need. Once you sign with us, our law firm will be able to assist you with all aspects of your personal injury case, including:
- Thoroughly investigating your accident to correctly identify the person or persons who are liable for your injuries and other damages
- Documenting your crash-related injuries, both physical and emotional, and gathering any and all related medical evidence that shows you were unable to work due to the severity of your injuries
- Collecting business and financial records in order to figure out your previous income, current lost income, and loss of projected income if your injuries have left you unable to work ever again
- Hiring financial and medical experts to give compelling testimony that establishes the total value of your damages
- Assertively seeking the maximum amount of financial compensation through a settlement or by going to trial
Were You Injured in a Virginia Car Accident?
Seeking the advice of a reputable personal injury lawyer is the best way to examine all of your legal options after being hurt in a car accident. The Virginia personal injury lawyers at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp will investigate the accident, handle any necessary paperwork, ensure all deadlines are met, and skillfully negotiate a fair financial settlement while you focus on your recovery. If you were injured in a Virginia car accident, call us at (833) 997-1774 to schedule a no-obligation review of your potential case.