If you’ve been in a Kansas City auto accident, you have probably determined what your vehicle was worth, whether it can be repaired or replaced, and what that amount is. You’ve probably also gauged your physical injuries and have a broad notion of what it’s going to take to recover and how much treatment you’re going to need. However, you may be struggling to evaluate what your lost wages and future earning potential are worth to the at-fault driver’s insurance company. The same can apply in a court of law if those injuries keep you from working during the course of your recovery or if they keep you from ever returning to your former occupation. The following information will help you to get a clearer understanding of how your wage and opportunity losses are valued and compensated and what you can do to recover those losses.
Actual Wage Loss in the Present
You have immediate wage loss to contend with if you are unable to work for a period of time due to hospitalization, rehabilitation, or medical restrictions after a Kansas City auto accident. If you can provide evidence of the missed work days, evidence the cause of the time off work, and evidence of your usual weekly wages, then thankfully these losses can be compensated for by the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
In most instances, showing evidence of your usual wages can be as simple as pulling out your most recent tax forms, check stubs or requesting proof of income from your employer. If you are a business owner yourself or if you are an independent contractor, then it can be harder to prove. You may be able to use your taxes or work with your Kansas City auto accident attorney to estimate your normal income.
Lost Wages and Income Potential in the Future
Many victims of traffic accidents don’t know that they can also seek compensation for their lost wages and income potential in the future. You can also seek this compensation if your injuries resulted in long term disability and/or prevent you from ever returning to your previous employment. This is most prevalent in instances where your employer required physical activities that your injuries prohibited you from being able to perform. Proving these losses can be more challenging, and may require evidence from medical professionals and other experts.
Could a Kansas City Auto Accident Attorney Help You?
A Kansas City auto accident attorney like those at Krause & Kinsman Law Firm could make all the difference in proving your losses and establishing liability. This is especially true if you are hoping to recover compensation for your lost wages and lost future income potential after an auto accident. Far too often, the insurance company of the responsible driver will try to deny liability or decrease the value of your claim for damages. They may not even offer to pay your lost wages and could be specifically unwilling to consider the loss of your future wage potential. This is where an experienced traffic accident attorney comes in to conduct insurance company negotiations and build a solid case for the damages that you need and deserve reimbursement for.
How to Find an Auto Accident Attorney in Kansas City
There are many ways to find a good traffic accident attorney in Kansas City. You can do a quick online search for attorneys in your area, read their profiles and testimonials, and/or ask for referrals from your friends, family, and associates. There are many options to contemplate. You’ll want to filter it down to just a few, who specialize and are knowledgeable in Kansas City traffic accident claims, and who offer free consultations. Then, you’ll want to take advantage of those free consultations to learn more, ask questions, and find the best attorney for your case.
Questions to Ask During a Consultation
For your initial consultation with a Kansas City auto accident attorney it is important that you are well prepared. You don’t want to waste your time by declining to get the information that you need to weigh your options and choose the right attorney for your traffic accident case. You should bring with you any evidence and documents that you have so that the attorney can work on assessing the merits and value of your claim. You’ll also want to be ready to ask some questions.
Following are some of the questions that will help you to compare the different attorneys that you meet with for a free consultation of your claim:
- Do you specialize in handling Kansas City auto accident claims?
- Do you have experience with claims that are similar to mine?
- Will any other attorneys work with you on my case?
- Do you offer a contingency fee payment arrangement?
- What can I do to strengthen my case?
- What is your response time to phone calls from clients?
- Have you taken cases like mine to trial?
- Have you ever received any disciplinary actions?
These are just a few example questions to help you get started. If you have any other questions, you should write them down and feel free to ask during the consultation. You can also use the free consultation to get a feel for the lawyer’s personality and whether or not you are likely to get along during the course of pursuing your auto accident claim. If you’re looking for a great place to start, call the determined car accident attorneys in Kansas City, MO at Krause & Kinsman Law Firm for your first free consultation.
