So many more people are driving for a living, and it’s not just truckers and delivery drivers but many within the gig economy as well. So what happens when a vital piece of equipment for her job is totaled as part of a car accident? It is possible that you may have the opportunity to recover lost wages. However, you might need to work with professionals to accurately assess the wages or earning opportunities you lost because your car was totaled.
Many people aren’t sure how to work in additional economic losses beyond property damage. You may need to work closely with your car insurance provider or with a Virginia Beach car accident attorney to receive compensation for lost income.
Rights of a Car Accident Victim
Every car accident victim has a right to fully recover all of the damages they sustained from the crash. However, they may need to prove that the other driver was at fault, that they did not contribute to the crash, and that the damage is directly associate with the wreck. For many, it seems like a challenge because they’re trying to recover financially and physically, and sometimes it seems as though that’s impossible.
When you file a claim with a car insurance company, they’ll do a cursory investigation to identify the at-fault party. And they will also look through evidence and whatever information you submit to help determine the value lost because of the crash and the financial ramifications such as medical bills.
If your car was considered a total loss and driving is a vital part of your job, then You may need to show in very plain terms that you lost your job or you lost the opportunity to earn an income because of this accident.
Understanding the Effect of a Total Loss
Unfortunately, many people see a car as an investment, but the truth is that your car loses value the second it becomes yours. The moment that you drive off the lot, that vehicle begins losing value at an insane rate. Within the first month of ownership, your car is probably worth 10% less than what you purchased it for, and over the first three years, it may lose a total of 40 to 60% of its value.
So when people think that there’s a total loss on their vehicle, they’ll get back what they paid or at least what they owe on the car. Car accidents leave many people upside down on a car note, and it may take years to get out of that debt.
If you still have an open car note, the insurance companies may even provide the compensation for the cart directly to the lender which means you may not see anything for your car and you may not get any help in making a down payment on a new vehicle to replace the totaled car.
Should You Have More Insurance If You Drive for a Living?
If you were technically on the clock when you were driving, you might have the opportunity to access a variety of different insurance options. Uber, for example, covers their drivers in some situations primarily when they are the victim and can help to replace property damage that would get them back to work sooner.
But, if you’re working for or with a company that requires you to carry your own insurance, then you may need to have additional coverage. It may be within the scope of your policy that using a personal vehicle for business purposes won’t apply your personal insurance coverage to crash is that happen During business hours. You may need to purchase commercial auto insurance or explore add-ons to put onto your current policy.
Contacting a Virginia Beach Car Accident Lawyer
After any type of wreck, you should thoroughly consider the legal options you might need to fully recover your losses. But when you drive for a living, your losses might go far beyond property damage and your medical bills. You may be physically able to return to work, but not have a vehicle to resume your duties. Even within the gig-economy, you might have additional options to recover the lost wages you experienced as a result of the car getting totaled.
Understanding the property damage value, your lost wages, and the possibility of a claim, you should contact Virginia Injury Law. Our attorney at Virginia Injury Law helps victims recover their damages even when those damages don’t seem to fit into the traditional injuries or car damage options. Get in touch with Virginia Injury Law to start discussing your options today.
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