After a car accident in South Dakota, you may be eligible for compensation for lost wages, but only if your Sioux Falls car accident lawyer can prove another driver’s negligence and the insurance policy covers such losses. An attorney can explain your options and help you file a claim for all applicable damages.
The car insurance company representing the liable driver may also have to cover other losses caused by a crash. An attorney can explain the types of compensation you qualify to receive and help you file a claim.
Will Car Insurance Companies Pay for Lost Wages After an Accident?
You will only be able to recover compensation for lost wages from an insurance company under certain conditions. To qualify, your Sioux Falls personal injury lawyer will need to show that:
- Someone else caused the car accident
- The accident directly caused your injuries
- Your injuries required you to take time off work
Insurance companies are interested in protecting their financial interests and will often try to deny a claim for lost wages. These companies want to protect their profits, so they often try to downplay the extent of the losses faced by car accident victims, including lost wages.
While you may be eligible for lost wages compensation if the insurance policy allows, companies often try to block or dismiss such claims, making legal representation essential.
Fortunately, a lawyer can represent your best interests and fight to bring you fair compensation for all of your losses.
Additional Factors That Can Affect Your Eligibility
When pursuing compensation for lost wages after a car accident, it is important to understand that the insurance policy of the liable party will play a significant role. Insurance plans can vary greatly, and the exact damages that can be recovered are affected by the terms of the coverage provided.
When pursuing compensation from the liable party after a car accident in South Dakota, it is important to understand that the state uses a contributory negligence system with a slight/gross negligence standard.
To recover compensation from the liable party’s insurer, you will need to prove that their level of fault was gross, compared to your slight or nonexistent fault.
You should know that even if your lost wages claim is accepted, you may only be able to recover part of the cost of your lost earnings. The compensation you can recover will be impacted by the at-fault party’s policy limits and your ability to provide thorough documentation of your losses.
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How Much Will an Insurance Company Pay for Lost Wages?
The amount of money the insurance company provides for lost wages after a motor vehicle collision will vary. The funds the company has to provide will depend on factors like the amount of time you need off work to heal and your average weekly wage.
An experienced car accident attorney can assess your losses and provide more information about the funds available in your specific situation.
Policy Limits Control How Much the Insurance Company Pays
Car insurance companies provide coverage based on policy limits. For example, South Dakota requires drivers to carry a minimum of $25,000 in bodily injury coverage per person, which may cover medical bills and lost wages, depending on the claim.
If a driver with minimum coverage hits you and your losses exceed these policy limits, your attorney may pursue other methods to secure compensation for your losses.
Insurers evaluate lost wages separately from medical expenses, and a smaller policy may not provide enough compensation for your lost wages.
When Do You Get Paid for Lost Wages After an Accident?
Insurance companies generally do not provide immediate payment to cover your lost wages after a car accident. Instead, you will only receive compensation for these losses after the resolution of your insurance claim.
Typically, your lawyer will engage in a period of negotiations before you receive a settlement. Negotiations may take several months, depending on factors like the extent of your injuries and the evidence available to prove that another driver’s negligence caused the crash.
Can You Just Take the First Insurance Offer?
The insurance company may send out an initial offer shortly after your crash. However, taking this first offer is rarely going to be in your best interest. The initial offer is likely going to be far below the full value of your claim, as insurers extend a minimal offer, hoping claimants will accept it without seeking further compensation.
Once you agree to a settlement offer, you cannot request additional compensation for your losses. Therefore, you should allow your lawyer to carefully review any offer before you accept it.
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What Else Does the Car Insurance Company Pay for After a Crash?
Depending on the circumstances, the insurance company for the liable party may cover a variety of other expenses incurred after a crash. The exact funds available will depend on the losses caused by the collision. For example, you may receive money to cover your:
- Medical expenses, including time in a hospital and surgeries
- Vehicle repair bills
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent impairment or disfigurement if your injuries cause lasting disability or scarring
The compensation you receive will also depend on the terms of the insurance policy and the policy limits of the liable party.
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Talk to Us About Compensation for Lost Wages After an Accident
Will the insurance company pay for your lost wages after an accident? This depends on proving negligence and whether the policy covers such losses.
At Hoy Law, we’re here to help. We will do everything in our power to get you money to cover your lost wages and any other losses you incurred as a result of your accident.
We prepare every case for trial, ready to file a lawsuit if the insurance company refuses a fair settlement. We have over 150 years of combined experience, and we’re here to help, so reach out now for a free, no-obligation case review.
**Disclaimer: The information provided herein does not constitute legal advice and is for general informational purposes only. For guidance specific to your situation, please contact our office directly.
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