A road traffic accident can disrupt your life in ways that go beyond the initial injuries. If you are unable to work and need ongoing support with daily tasks, the financial implications can be significant. Many injured people find themselves dealing with lost income, ongoing medical appointments and uncertainty about how they will manage their finances in the months, and in some cases years, ahead.

Here, the team at Switalskis explains how a personal injury claim can account for these challenges, including long-term care and loss of earnings, alongside the types of evidence you may need and actions you can take to improve your chances of a successful claim in the immediate aftermath of the accident.

How can lost earnings be recovered after a road traffic accident?

When a road traffic accident was caused by the negligence of another party, and the resulting injuries led to you needing time away from work, you may be entitled to claim compensation for loss of earnings. These form part of the wider financial losses included in a personal injury claim.

Loss of earnings can apply in several ways. In a straightforward claim, it may relate to time off work while you recover from physical injuries. Where the accident has a lasting impact, it may include a longer absence, a reduced ability to work or a situation where you cannot return to your previous role at all.

You may have received statutory sick pay or contractual sick pay through your employer, but this does not prevent you from making a loss of earnings claim. For those who are self-employed, lost income may be assessed using tax returns, loss accounts and other detailed records showing your net earnings before and after the accident. In all cases, the aim is to reflect your actual loss and any ongoing impact on your earning capacity.

Can you claim for long-term care after an accident?

Where a serious collision has led to life-changing injuries, you may require financial support beyond your initial treatment and recovery period. A compensation claim can include the cost of long-term care where it is linked to the injuries you have suffered.

Long-term care can take different forms depending on your specific circumstances. This could include professional care, support with daily activities, help attending medical appointments or input from specialists such as occupational therapists. In some cases, family members or friends may provide care, and the time and support they give can be recognised as part of a compensation claim.

Even where injuries heal and you return to full health, you may still need short-term support during recovery. The key point is that if care is required because of the accident, the associated costs and impact can be included in your compensation claim.

What is future loss of earnings and can it be included in a claim?

A personal injury claim is not limited to losses you have already experienced. It can also include future losses, which reflect the ongoing impact of your injuries.

Future loss of earnings may apply if your injuries affect your ability to return to work, reduce your hours or limit the type of work you can do. In the most serious cases, such as for people who experience a brain injury or spinal injury , this can form a substantial part of the final compensation award.

Future care needs can also be included in the claim. This may involve ongoing support, rehabilitation or adjustments required to help you manage day-to-day life.

When you work with Switalskis, a solicitor who specialises in road traffic accident claims will assess these elements using medical records and input from medical experts, alongside evidence about your employment and financial situation. We will use this evidence to make a claim on your behalf that will reflect how your circumstances are likely to change based on your recovery and long-term prognosis.

To support this type of assessment, clear and detailed evidence is needed to show how the accident has affected both your health and your finances.

What evidence do you need to support a claim?

To claim compensation for loss of earnings and care needs, you will need evidence showing how the accident has affected you.

This can include medical records confirming the injuries sustained and any ongoing treatment, along with witness statements where relevant. Financial evidence is also important, such as payslips, employment contracts or tax returns if you are self-employed.

You should also keep detailed records of any expenses linked to your recovery, including medical expenses, travel costs and any care you have received. Gathering evidence early can make it easier to demonstrate your financial losses and support a successful claim.

The experienced personal injury solicitors at Switalskis will use the evidence you have gathered, alongside our own investigations, to identify what is needed and present a clear and well-supported case when dealing with the person responsible for your accident, or their insurance company.

Can you receive payments before your claim is finished?

In some cases, it may be possible to access interim payments before your claim reaches a final compensation award. These early payments provide financial support while your claim is ongoing, and are particularly valuable when the impact of the accident is immediate and continuing.

Interim payments are usually made where the other party has admitted liability, or where there is strong evidence that the accident was not your fault and that you are likely to receive compensation. Rather than waiting until the end of the claims process, these payments allow part of your compensation to be released in advance.

They can be used to cover immediate costs such as lost wages, medical expenses, travel costs for medical appointments, or care needs. This can be particularly relevant if you are off work, experiencing reduced income or facing additional financial pressure following the accident.

In some cases, interim payments may also support access to rehabilitation, treatment or occupational therapy, so you can give your recovery the focus it needs while your claim progresses.

Whether interim payments are available will depend on the specific circumstances of your case, including the strength of the evidence and whether liability has been accepted. When you speak to the team at Switalskis, we will be able to advise on whether this option is open to you, and if this is the case, we will make urgent applications on your behalf where appropriate.

What if the other driver is uninsured or cannot be traced?

If the driver responsible for the accident is uninsured or cannot be identified, you may still be able to claim compensation through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB). The MIB is an industry-funded scheme set up to compensate people who are injured in these circumstances.

Claims made through the MIB can still cover financial losses such as loss of earnings, medical expenses and care needs, in much the same way as a standard personal injury compensation claim. However, the process differs, and there may be additional requirements around reporting the accident and providing evidence to have these costs factored into the compensation you’re awarded.

For example, it is often necessary to report the accident to the police as soon as possible and to gather as much evidence as you can, including witness statements and any available footage or photographs.

While these cases can be more complex, the experienced personal injury solicitors at Switalskis have extensive experience in this area , and have secured compensation for many people through MIB claims.

How long do you have to make a claim?

In most cases, you have three years from the date the accident happened to start a personal injury claim. This time limit is known as the limitation period. There are some exceptions, including where the injured person is under the age of 18 or lacks the mental capacity to make a claim, in which case different rules apply.

While three years may seem like a long time, it is advisable to act quickly. Evidence such as witness statements, CCTV footage and accurate recollections of the accident can become harder to obtain as time passes.

Starting the process early allows you to gather evidence while it is still available and gives your solicitor the best opportunity to build a clear and well-supported case on your behalf.

Get in touch

If you have been injured in a road traffic accident and are concerned about lost earnings or the need for long-term care, seeking legal advice can help you understand your options.

The personal injury solicitors at Switalskis have experience supporting injured people through compensation claims, including those involving future losses and ongoing care needs. We can assess your specific circumstances, explain what you may be able to claim and help you move forward with confidence following your accident.

To find out more, contact Switalskis today on 0800 138 0458 or use the form on this page to get in touch.