After a motor vehicle collision, people in Pennsylvania may have property damage losses and also medical bills to cover. They will usually turn to car insurance for basic costs. Frequently, people with major medical expenses also have lost wages to consider.
Those in manual professions may require weeks away from their jobs if they have a broken bone or a soft tissue injury. Those in less physically-demanding professions may also require time away from work after severe injuries. Individuals who miss out on months of income because of car crash injuries and those who have to stop working entirely or change professions may require financial support to continue paying their household bills.
How does someone facing an extended leave of absence or an early end to their working years recover their financial losses caused by a crash?
They pursue an insurance claim
Pennsylvania drivers typically have liability insurance that will help cover someone’s lost wages and medical expenses. Unfortunately, the coverage available will usually be subject to policy limits, which may actually be much lower than the true financial impact of the collision.
Especially once someone starts factoring in a lifetime of lost wages and valuable employment benefits, it may quickly become evident that the insurance policy of the driver at fault for the crash won’t fully replace their lost income. Thankfully, lawsuits can be an option when insurance isn’t sufficient.
State law allows for civil claims
In cases involving negligence or someone violating traffic laws, it is often possible to ask the civil court for compensation. Pennsylvania can award plaintiffs lost wages in both standard personal injury claims and wrongful death claims brought by those who lost a loved one in a collision.
Unlike insurance claims, which have strict limits based on the coverage someone carries, lawsuits can usually help someone recover the full financial cost of a crash, including years of lost wages and benefits. People should not need to use their paid time off benefits or accept a long-term loss of income after a crash if they weren’t to blame for the wreck.
Recognizing that the person to blame for a motor vehicle vision could be responsible for someone’s lost income might lead to a successful insurance claim or lawsuit.