A motorcycle crash can threaten more than your health. If you are self-employed, time away from work can mean missed jobs, lost clients and bills you still need to pay. Proving those losses may feel harder when you do not receive a regular paycheck. However, you can use records from your business to show how the accident affected your earnings.
Here are the records that can help support your claim.
Business income records
Tax returns, profit and loss statements and bank statements can help show how much your business typically earns. These records give you a baseline for comparing your income before and after the crash. For example, if your business brought in steady monthly revenue before your injuries, a drop during your recovery may help show the financial impact.
Canceled work and lost contracts
Client contracts, unpaid invoices, canceled bookings and emails about postponed jobs can help connect your lost income to the accident. Keep records showing which jobs you could not complete because of your injuries. If a client hired someone else while you recovered, correspondence about the change may also help explain the loss.
Additional proof of lost earnings
Work calendars, appointment logs and payment histories can show how much work you missed while recovering. If your injuries limit the work you can take on in the future, medical records and evidence of reduced business activity may also support a claim for lost earning capacity.
Maryland law recognizes lost earnings as economic damages in personal injury cases, so keep records that support the amount you claim and connect the loss to the crash.
Protect your income claim after a motorcycle crash
Business records, proof of canceled work and evidence of lasting limits can help show how a motorcycle crash affected your livelihood. An attorney can review these records with you, identify gaps in your proof and help you assess which income losses you may be able to claim. Getting advice early can also help you preserve useful evidence while it remains available.