A car accident can turn your life upside down in an instant. Medical bills start piling up, car repairs need attention, and worst of all, you might be unable to work. Losing your income, even temporarily, can make an already stressful situation unbearable. That’s where lost wage benefits come—they help bridge the financial gap.
But how long does it take to get those lost wages paid? That depends on several factors. The car accident lawyers at Horn Wright, LLP, can guide you through the nuances of lost wage claims if you’ve been injured in a car crash. You deserve to have one of the best law firms in America by your side fighting to get you justice.
No-Fault Insurance: Your Lifeline or a Bureaucratic Nightmare?
Will No-Fault Actually Pay Your Lost Wages—Or Just Give You the Runaround?
New York follows a No-Fault insurance system, which means that after a car accident, your own insurance company is responsible for covering certain losses regardless of who caused the crash. This includes medical expenses, some out-of-pocket costs, and yes, lost wages.
No-Fault doesn’t cover your entire paycheck. Instead, it typically reimburses:
- 80% of your gross income, up to a maximum of $2,000 per month
- Benefits last up to three years after the accident
- Payments are subject to your policy’s coverage limits
For many people, these limits don’t come close to replacing their full earnings, especially if they have a high-paying job. Worse, insurance companies love to play tricks anytime it comes to paying money. That’s where the waiting game begins.
The Waiting Game: How Long Until No-Fault Sends a Check?
The short answer? It depends. Under New York law, insurance companies are supposed to pay lost wage benefits within 30 days of receiving all required documents. But in reality, delays happen all the time.
Here’s a rough timeline of what to expect:
- Filing Your Claim – You should submit a New York State NF-2 No-Fault Application as soon as possible, ideally within 30 days of the accident. The sooner you file, the sooner you get paid.
- Providing Medical Proof – Your doctor must confirm that your injuries prevent you from working. This means submitting medical records, test results, and possibly an independent medical exam if the insurer requests it.
- Employer Verification – Your employer needs to provide documentation of your wages and work schedule, usually with a Form NF-6 Employer’s Wage Verification Form. If your employer delays, so does your payment.
- Insurance Processing – Once your insurer has everything, pursuant to 11 N.Y.C.R.R. 65-3.8, they should issue payment within 30 days. If they don’t, and they haven’t requested verification or denied your claim, follow up immediately.
Unfortunately, even when you do everything right, insurance companies still find ways to slow things down. Some common reasons for delays include:
- Missing paperwork – If even one document is incomplete, your claim can get stuck in limbo. Insurance companies can request additional verification of your claim under 11 N.Y.C.R.R. 65-3.6, so you’ll want to quickly get any additional documentation to them.
- Disputes over medical evidence – The insurance company might claim your injuries aren’t severe enough to prevent you from working.
- Stalling tactics – Some insurers delay payments hoping you'll get frustrated and give up.
If you’ve waited longer than 30 days, and the insurance company didn’t request verification or deny your claim, it’s time to take action.
Denied, Delayed, Ignored—What to Do When No-Fault Won’t Pay
If your no-fault claim is delayed or denied, don’t assume it’s the end of the road. You have options.
- Request an Explanation – Ask your insurer why they haven't paid. Sometimes a simple clarification or missing document can fix the issue. Payments can be sent from out-of-state offices so it may take additional time.
- Go to Arbitration – New York allows you to file for arbitration through the American Arbitration Association to resolve no-fault disputes faster than going to court. Our firm represents medical providers in No-Fault arbitration and litigation to recover denied claims.
- Consider Legal Action – If all else fails, suing the insurance company might be your only option. Litigation takes longer but can force the insurer to pay what you're owed.
Waiting for lost wages after an accident is frustrating, but knowing your rights can help you avoid unnecessary delays. If No-Fault drags its feet, you don’t have to sit back and accept it.
Other Ways to Get Paid: Who Steps Up When No-Fault Drags Its Feet?
No-fault insurance should cover lost wages, but that doesn’t mean it always does, at least not in a timely manner. Insurance companies are notorious for delaying claims, disputing medical records, or just outright denying coverage. So what happens when your no-fault benefits aren’t enough or aren’t coming through fast enough? You still have options.
Short-Term and Long-Term Disability: A Safety Net or Just More Red Tape?
If you have disability insurance—either through your employer or a private policy—you might be able to collect benefits while you’re out of work. But these policies vary widely, and getting paid isn’t always quick.
Here’s how it typically works:
- Short-term disability policies cover a percentage of your wages, usually 50-70%, but payments don’t start immediately. Expect a waiting period of 7 to 30 days before benefits kick in.
- Long-term disability is for extended time off, but payments don’t start until much later—often 90 days or more after your injury.
Not everyone qualifies. You’ll need:
- A doctor’s certification that you can’t work
- Proof that your injury isn’t work-related (if it is, you may need to file for workers’ comp instead)
- Compliance with your policy’s specific terms (some exclude car accident injuries altogether)
For many, disability insurance can be a lifesaver, but don’t expect an instant payout. And if you don’t already have a policy before the accident, you won’t be able to sign up after the fact. Our personal injury attorneys at Horn Wright, LLP, guide car accident clients through the entire process.
Workers’ Comp: The Slow, Frustrating Process of Proving You Were ‘On the Clock’
If your car accident happened while you were working, you might be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. This applies if:
- You were driving for work purposes (not just commuting)
- You were making a work-related delivery or running an errand for your job
- You were traveling between job sites as part of your duties
If you qualify, workers’ comp should cover a portion of your lost wages, typically around two-thirds of your salary. However, the process isn’t fast.
Timeline for wage reimbursement under Workers’ Comp:
- Initial claim processing: This can take several weeks as your employer and insurer investigate the accident.
- Waiting period: In New York, you won’t receive wage benefits until you’ve been out of work for at least 7 days. If your disability lasts longer than 14 days, you may be eligible for retroactive pay.
- Disputes and delays: If your employer’s insurer contests your claim, expect additional delays. You may need a workers’ comp hearing to fight for your benefits.
The biggest challenge? Proving that your injury is work-related. If there’s any question about whether you were “on the clock” when the accident happened, expect pushback. The car accident lawyers at Horn Wright, LLP, are experienced in painting a detailed picture of your on-the-clock work so there are minimal disputes.
Suing the At-Fault Driver: Slow But Steady
If someone else caused the crash, you may be able to recover lost wages by filing a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance. Sounds great, right? Not so fast. Unlike getting your lost wages paid through No-Fault insurance, which should be processed within 30 days, liability claims can take months or even years to resolve.
Here’s why:
- The other driver’s insurance might fight liability. They may try to blame you or downplay your injuries to avoid paying. It’s why you need an attorney for even a minor car crash.
- Your case may need to go through settlement negotiations. Insurers rarely offer full compensation upfront, and they love to play tricks to avoid payment. You may need to negotiate.
- If negotiations fail, you may have to sue. A personal injury lawsuit adds months—or even years—to the timeline.
If the case does settle, expect your wage loss compensation to be part of the final payout. However, you won’t see a dime until everything is finalized, which could take a long time.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: The Secret Weapon Most People Forget
Not everyone on the road has enough insurance—or any at all. If the at-fault driver doesn’t have enough coverage to pay for your lost wages, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can step in. This is part of your own insurance policy and can cover lost wages if the responsible driver can’t pay.
How long does a UM/UIM claim take?
- If your insurer processes the claim quickly, you might see payment within a few weeks to a couple of months.
- If they dispute the amount owed, it could take longer—sometimes requiring arbitration or legal action.
To avoid unnecessary delays, speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer at Horn Wright, LLP, to make sure you timely file your UM/UIM claim. The sooner you act, the sooner you’ll see a check.
Conclusion: The Clock Is Ticking—How Long Can You Afford to Wait?
Getting lost wages paid after a car accident isn’t always straightforward. No-fault insurance should be paid within 30 days, but delays are common. Disability benefits take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on your policy. Workers’ comp can move faster but comes with hurdles, and liability claims often take the longest—sometimes years.
If you’ve been injured in an accident, one of the best things you can do is pick up the phone and call Horn Wright, LLP. Our car accident lawyers and personal injury attorneys know how to get results fast and help get your life back on track.
Contact our office today for a FREE consultation.