Can’t Work After a Car Accident? Here’s What to Do Next

If a car accident in Washington DC left you hurt and unable to work, you are not alone. Many people in the DMV suddenly lose income and feel the pressure of growing bills after crashes on major roads like 395. When your paycheck stops, it affects your home, your family, and your peace of mind. The good news is that there are steps you can take right now to protect yourself and your case.

What to Do If You Cannot Work After a Car Accident

The first step is to get medical care right away. Your doctors document how the crash happened and how you were hurt. These records become the strongest proof of your injuries. Delays in treatment can be used by the insurance company to argue that you were not really hurt or that something else caused the problem.

Tell every doctor how the accident happened and every symptom you feel. Pain, numbness, trouble sleeping, trouble lifting, or difficulty walking, even if it seems small, should all be listed in your records. This protects your health and your case.

Here are simple actions that help right away if you cannot work after a car crash:

See a doctor as soon as you can and follow the treatment plan.
Tell your doctor that you cannot work and ask for clear written restrictions.
Give those restrictions to your employer so they understand what you can and cannot do.
Keep copies of visit summaries, bills, and test results in one place.
Write down every day you miss work and the income you lose.

How to Protect Your Income and Your Case

If the other driver caused the crash, you can recover your lost income. This includes paychecks you already missed and future income if your doctor keeps you out of work. Many people need physical therapy, injections, or surgery after a serious crash. During that time, you should not be pressured to return to work or accept a low offer because the process feels overwhelming.

Recovering Lost Wages After a DC Car Accident

If you cannot work after a car accident, you may be able to recover lost wages as long as the other driver was at fault. This covers both the income you have already missed and the income you may lose moving forward. Keep copies of pay stubs, employer notes, time sheets, and a doctor’s note explaining your work restrictions. These documents show how the injury affected your ability to earn money and help support your case.

Insurance adjusters handle claims every day, and their goal is to protect the insurance company’s bottom line. Many people tell us they felt rushed or pressured to give a recorded statement or accept a quick, low settlement. Others feel pushed to go back to work before their doctor says it is safe.

Some of the most common mistakes people make after a serious car accident include:

Talking to the insurance adjuster before they understand their rights
Agreeing to a quick settlement before they finish treatment
Going back to work before a doctor clears them
Posting about the crash or their injuries on social media
Not tracking missed work and out-of-pocket costs

Avoiding these mistakes can make a real difference in your case. In his video on what to do if you cannot return to work after a car accident, Attorney Frank Kearney explains how to protect your rights while you heal. He has helped injured people across the DMV for more than 30 years and knows how a strong plan can help keep a family stable while a case moves forward.

When You Should Contact Donahoe Kearney

If you cannot work and the bills are stacking up, you should contact us as soon as possible. You get one chance to get this right. We help people after serious car accidents in Washington DC, Alexandria, and throughout the DMV. We deal with the insurance company while you focus on healing.

Call 202-393-3320 or book your free consultation here: Book Free Consultation.

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