Can I Recover Lost Wages After a Rideshare Accident?

Yes, you can recover lost wages after a rideshare accident if another party’s negligence caused the incident that left you injured. Your compensation might include lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and other income-related losses resulting from your injuries.

If you’re hurting in any of these ways in the aftermath of a rideshare-related collision, know that you don’t have to endure these circumstances by yourself. Call a Fort Myers rideshare accident lawyer to pursue compensation for the income you’ve lost.  

Why Lost Wages Are a Concern After Rideshare Collisions 

For many accident victims, the financial impact of taking time away from work can be just as stressful as mthe physical injuries themselves. Even relatively minor injuries can put someone in a position where they have to stay home for weeks, if not months, while they recover. 

More serious injuries could end up preventing you from returning to the same line of work that you were part of prior to the collision. In many situations, workers owed wages are already having a hard time keeping up with their financial obligations in the aftermath of the crash. 

This is usually the result of their income being interrupted by the recovery process. It’s also worth noting that rideshare accidents involving services like Uber or Lyft can create complicated legal issues because multiple parties might share liability: 

• The rideshare driver
• Another negligent driver
• insurance carriers connected to the rideshare company 

When injured victims are already having difficulty getting by financially, legal matters can feel like too much to handle, especially by yourself. However, lost wages are considered a compensable economic damage in many Florida personal injury claims.

This means an attorney can help you pursue compensation for your loss of income. A lawyer with experience handling rideshare accident cases can help you identify every category of income that you’ve lost in connection with the crash. 

What Types of Lost Income Are Recoverable After a Rideshare Accident?

Lost wage claims are not limited to situations where you miss a few days of work. Depending on the severity of your injuries and the nature of your employment, the compensation you can pursue will typically include several different forms of financial loss. 

More specifically, these are examples of potentially recoverable lost income damages in your case:

• Missed hourly wages
• Lost salary
• Overtime pay
• Bonuses and commissions
• Paid time off used during recovery
• Lost self-employment income
• Reduced future earning capacity
• Missed freelance or contract opportunities
• Loss of promotions or career advancement opportunities
• Lost retirement contributions or employment benefits

For people who are self-employed, trying to prove lost income is usually a more complicated process. But no matter how you make money, insurance companies will likely attempt to minimize or dispute your earnings, especially if they fluctuate from month to month. 

That said, lawyers are familiar with financial records, tax returns, invoices, and client contracts. They are also known for consulting with vocational professionals, who help attorneys establish the full value of the income losses that victims of these collisions have suffered. 

How Does Florida Law Affect Lost Wage Claims After a Rideshare Accident?

Florida state laws affect the process of handling personal injury claims after a rideshare accident. In recent years, important legal changes have affected how personal injury cases move forward in the state. One major change came through Florida tort reform. 

This was enacted on March 24, 2023. Since then, under the updated law, the statute of limitations for many personal injury claims has been shortened from four years to two years.

Also, the state shifted away from a pure comparative negligence system. 

Instead, there’s now a modified comparative negligence system in place. Under the modified system, you might not be able to recover compensation if you’re more than 50% responsible for the crash. Here’s what insurance companies often do in response to this system: 

• Try to reduce payouts
• Argue that you contributed more to the crash than you did 
• Claim you failed to mitigate your injuries 
• State that you delayed medical treatment on purpose 

These tactics can directly affect lost wage compensation, but your attorney can protect you from these predatory practices. Since these laws can impact your financial recovery, it’s in your interests to work with lawyers who understand the evolving legal landscape in Florida. 

Call Viles & Beckman LLC for Help Recovering Lost Wages After a Rideshare Accident 

After a rideshare-involved collision, it is completely understandable to be stressed about how long the recovery process will take. While waiting to receive compensation, many people are worried about whether they will be able to support themselves or their family in the meantime. 

At Viles & Beckman LLC, we understand how overwhelming these situations can be for injured victims across the state of Florida. Established in 1995, our law firm is home to attorneys who have more than 40 years of combined experience helping thousands of people. 

Together, we’ve helped injured clients throughout Florida pursue compensation after serious accidents. Known as The 5-Star Law Firm™, we have what it takes to investigate the crash, gather proof of lost income, negotiate with insurance companies, and fight for what you deserve.