Whether you’ve been injured in an auto accident near Wilmington, Newark or Dover, you may have questions about whether you can recover lost wages or earnings. In most cases, the answer is yes.
Under Delaware car accident law, Delaware residents who are covered under an applicable Delaware car/auto insurance policy may be eligible to make PIP (personal injury protection) claims to recover the net amount of lost wages and earnings.
For example, a Wilmington resident gets into a car accident driving to work. She suffers a major injury and due to surgery, cannot work for several months. Accordingly, the lost earnings/wages are significant. So long as the Delaware driver was covered under a valid car insurance policy, she would be able to make a claim to recover those lost wages. The claim would be part of the PIP claim, payable under the driver’s own auto insurance policy, and subject to the insurance policy limits.
Making a PIP Claim for Lost Wages in DE – The Importance of Proper Documentation
When making a PIP claim, it is important to understand the importance of having proper documentation to support the lost wage claim. There are two types of documentation required to support a PIP lost wage claim in Delaware: 1. medical evidence of the disability and 2. calculation or substantiation of the actual lost wage/salary amounts.
Related: Making a DE PIP Claim for Lost Wages After a Car Accident – What You Need to Know
PIP Lost Wage Claims in DE – Medical Evidence
After the insurance company is notified of the need to make a lost wage claim, the injured individual must be sure to provide medical evidence of the disability. For instance, a doctor’s note indicating the extent of the injury and the disability, i.e., inability to work, must be provided to the insurance company.
Usually, once a PIP claim is opened, the PIP adjuster will send wage verification forms as well as authorizations to obtain relevant medical records. It is imperative that these forms be filled out quickly and returned to the insurance company.
PIP Lost Wage Claims in DE – Wage Evidence
The actual lost wage amount must be calculated and substantiated with earnings statements, paystubs, etc. When making a PIP claim in Delaware for lost wages, the claimant must provide evidence of the amount of lost wages. It is not enough to simply put the insurance company on notice of the lost wage claim.
Instead, the claimant (injured party) must prove what wages/salary were lost and provide the actual amounts to the car insurance company, i.e., the PIP carrier.
If you were injured in an auto accident in the Delaware area and have questions about making a lost wage PIP claim, please call our car accident lawyers for a free consultation. (302) 658-1717
Related content:
- Recovering Lost Wages After a Delaware Car/Truck Accident
- Making a DE PIP Claim for Medical Bills After a Car Accident – What You Need to Know
- Delaware Car Accident Case Study – A Passenger’s Rights in a Single Car Crash in Dover, DE
Wilmington DE Car Accident Lawyer with Over 30 Years of Experience
Since 1982, firm founder, Martin Knepper, has served residents of Delaware in all personal injury matters, including car accidents and truck accidents. Contact our accident lawyers today and ask for a free consultation. (302) 658-1717
Our lawyers serve residents throughout the Delaware area, including: Wilmington, Newark, Dover, Middletown, and Smyrna. We also represent residents of other states such as Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia who are injured in car or truck accidents while in Delaware. For more information, please contact us.
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