Recovering Lost Wages after a Truck Accident in St. Louis

Severe injuries are often the most immediate effect of a commercial motor vehicle collision, but lost wages from missed work due to a truck accident can have devastating consequences.

Missing weeks or months of work makes it harder, if not impossible, to pay for your medical treatments and cover daily living expenses. If the lasting effect of your truck accident injuries keeps you from returning to your old job, you could face significant future lost wages. 

Recovering lost income after a truck crash can be challenging, as insurers and trucking companies aggressively contest claims to avoid paying fair compensation. However, the Missouri truck accident lawyers at Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC are ready to fight for the maximum compensation you deserve for your lost income.

Our Missouri truck accident attorneys have decades of combined experience, and we have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for injured people like you. We can handle all the legal work and deal with the insurance companies so you can focus on healing. You will not owe us any fees unless you recover compensation for your financial losses. 

Call now or complete our contact form for a free case review about your options for seeking lost wage reimbursement. 

What Are Lost Wages After a Truck Accident in Missouri?

Lost wages are the income you do not receive because a Missouri truck accident keeps you from doing your job. Lost income can include paychecks you lose while you recover, time you miss for medical appointments, and hours your doctor tells you not to work.

Compensation for lost wages can also include missed overtime pay, bonuses, tips, and commissions. Your lost wages can include your reduced future earnings due to a long-term injury or disability from the truck accident. 

Who Can Recover Lost Income After a Missouri Truck Accident?

Under Missouri law, you can recover lost income in a personal injury claim involving a truck accident if someone else was at fault for the crash. 

Depending on how the collision happened and who caused it, you could potentially file claims against the truck driver, the trucking company, a parts manufacturer, a truck maintenance crew, or anyone else responsible for your injuries. However, you must show that someone else caused the accident through their careless actions, and that the liable party’s negligence led to your injuries, lost wages, and lost earning capacity.

How Are Lost Wages Calculated in a Missouri Truck Accident Claim? 

In a Missouri truck accident claim, your compensation for lost wages usually matches the income you could have earned had the crash not happened. Your claim should cover the work time you missed while you healed, went to treatment, or followed work restrictions from your doctor. 

When calculating lost wages, your personal injury lawyer may start with your regular pay rate and multiply it by the hours or days you could not work. If you earn a salary, the calculation often involves your daily or weekly rate instead. 

If you work hourly, the calculation can include missed shifts and missed overtime. Your claim can also include lost tips, commissions, and bonuses.

What Proof Do You Need to Recover Lost Wages After a Truck Accident?

Some types of evidence that can help prove your truck accident injury wage losses include:

• Recent pay stubs that show your regular hourly rate or salary, along with your typical work schedule.
• A letter from your employer that confirms your job title, pay rate, usual hours, and the dates you missed because of the crash. Similarly, you can use a written statement from your supervisor or HR department that confirms any reduced hours, forced schedule changes, or unpaid leave tied to your injuries.
• Time sheets or attendance records that show when you stopped working and when you returned.
• A doctor’s note or medical records that explain your work restrictions, time off orders, and follow-up care.
• W-2 forms or recent tax returns showing your yearly income, particularly if your pay changes week to week or month to month.
• Proof of missed overtime, bonuses, tips, or commissions, such as payroll summaries, sales reports, or written pay policies.
• Bank deposit records that match your typical income pattern before the accident and show the drop after it.
• Self-employment records, such as invoices, contracts, client messages, and profit-and-loss statements.
• A calendar, notes, or emails that track missed shifts, canceled jobs, and medical appointments that kept you away from work.

Can You Recover Future Lost Earnings After a Truck Accident in Missouri?

Yes, you can seek compensation for reduced future earnings after a Missouri truck accident if your injuries limit your ability to work or earn the same income as you did before the crash. However, recovering compensation for your reduced earning potential can be challenging.

To determine your future lost earnings, your lawyer will look at how the crash changed your work life. The review often includes your age, job duties, career path, and expected income over time. Your lawyer may also use medical records and doctor opinions to show long-term work limits that restrict your employment opportunities, such as your physical restrictions or reduced stamina. 

In some cases, your lawyer may work with an economist or vocational expert to calculate your lost future earning capacity. Experts can estimate how much income you will lose over the years based on your past earnings, likely raises, and the type of work you can do now. Your lost-wage claim can also include future losses tied to missed promotions or a forced career change resulting from the accident. 

How Long Does It Take to Recover Lost Wages After a Missouri Truck Accident? 

There is no definite timeline for recovering lost wages after a truck crash. If it is clear who was at fault, you have strong evidence to support your claim, and you have proper legal support, your case might conclude in a few months. However, your case might take a year or longer if settlement negotiations drag on, you need extended time to determine the full scope of your injuries, you lack evidence to support your claim, or a trial is necessary.

When Should You Contact a Missouri Truck Accident Lawyer About Lost Wages?

It is best to contact a personal injury attorney at Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC as soon as possible after a truck crash. Crucial evidence can fade quickly, but our lawyers can start building your case while you heal. Acting right away also reduces your chances of missing Missouri’s deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit and losing your right to seek compensation.

Ready to speak to a lawyer about your St. Louis truck accident claim? Call Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC now or complete our contact form for a free consultation.