Car accidents in the San Fernando Valley often happen when you least expect them. In fact, even the most cautious of drivers are sometimes blindsided by a not-so-cautious driver, perhaps one who is texting and driving, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or just not observing the rules of the road. If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident that was not your fault, you have the right to recover financial compensation for your injuries.
The financial toll resulting from personal injury accidents can be devastating and threaten your family’s financial stability. If you’ve been injured due to the negligence of another driver or entity (such the corporation who employed the negligent driver), you have a right to be reimbursed for the income you lost while treating and recovering from your injury, medical expenses, pain and suffering, as well as potential future damages.
Lost Income
California courts have traditionally ruled that personal injury victims are entitled to reimbursement for all income lost while treating and recovering from their injuries. This lost income includes not only the wages you would have earned if you hadn’t been injured, but any additional compensation on top of a normal salary. For the purposes of a personal injury insurance settlement, lost compensation can include sick and vacation days, pay bonuses, and other perks of employment.
Proof of Injuries
In order to be compensated for lost wages and time you were forced to take off work, you need to be able to show that you suffered real injuries. This is one reason why it is crucial to visit a doctor or medical professional immediately following an auto accident. Your doctor will be able to provide proof of your injuries in the form of a doctor’s narrative. This is a detailed write-up of your injuries, including how they were caused, your diagnosis and a prognosis for recovery. For settlement purposes, it needs to state your treatment plan and how long you are expected be out of work.
An experienced personal injury lawyer will be able to walk you through this entire process, and remind you to let your doctor know that you need a medical narrative for your claim. The accident lawyer will likely work with your doctor to ensure that all necessary information regarding your injuries, treatment, and your approximate recovery time is present in the narrative. This is necessary to show the insurance company, who will likely try to say that your injuries were not serious enough to force you to take time off work and therefore you do not need financial compensation for lost wages.
Make sure that you have the right auto accident lawyer on your side so that you get the financial recovery you deserve. Contact San Fernando Valley attorney Barry P. Goldberg today.
