I’ve been injured in a car accident and can’t work – now what?

If you have been seriously injured in a Southern California car accident, you are probably unable to work and stressed about when you will be able to get back on the job. While the Houston car accident lawyers at Steinberg Spencer can't help speed your recovery, we can give you ideas about how to increase your chances of obtaining lost wages due to the accident.

Most of these tips revolve around communication. Staying in constant contact with your employer, your doctor and your attorney can ensure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to your recovery.
Let's take a look at some tips for helping you recoup the wages you have lost because of the accident.

Notify your employer immediately. The shock and pain of a hospital visit after a car accident can make it easy to just "call in sick" to work. But it's better to notify your employer immediately that the reason you can't make it in is because of a car crash.
Obtain an off-work slip from your doctor. Even though your injuries may be very clearly identified and quite obviously prevent you from working, you should still get something in writing from your physician that states your inability to work.
Document what shifts you would have been working. It is not a bad idea to keep a journal after your accident to document pain and doctors' appointments. Part of the daily entries should also include the number of hours that you normally would be working if you were not injured.
Calculate your lost wages. Experienced California car accident attorneys will request your lost wages from your employer once you return to work. But a good thing for accident victims to do is to perform your own calculation of how much money you are missing out on. Since you know better than anyone else the shifts and hours you typically work, as well as the amount of money you make, you should be able to easily determine how much your paycheck should be. This is a good reference for comparison once the final number comes back from your employer, and can help with any discrepancies.
Contact your doctor and attorney once you return to work. Communication is key, and notifying your physician and your lawyer the moment you are able to start working again will ensure that the date is documented twice. This will also help your attorney get a head start on ordering your medical records and bills, as well as the lost wage statement from your employer.

Discover more tips for car accident victims by ordering your free copy of the Seven Biggest Mistakes That Can Ruin Your California Injury Case, by calling 800.350.8888. Written by the Southern California car accident injury lawyers at Steinberg Spencer, the book is filled with tips on how to protect your legal rights and get you the compensation to which you may be entitled. You can also fill out our online form to request your free case evaluation.