Can I Get Disability Benefits After a Car Accident?
Have you suffered traumatic injuries in a car accident? Have those injuries left you unable to return to work permanently? In addition to a personal injury claim against the negligent driver, you may also be able to pursue Social Security Disability Income if your injuries have left you permanently disabled.
The attorneys of Musselwhite Meinhart & Staples, PSC have extensive experience representing accident victims in personal injury claims as well as helping clients file applications for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Contact our office to schedule an appointment to discuss how we can help you receive the benefits you need to provide for yourself and for your family.
What is Social Security Disability Income (SSDI)?
Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) is a program through the Social Security Administration (SSA) to provide financial support for individuals who are unable to work due to a disability. It does not matter how the person became disabled. The person could have been born with a disability, developed a medical condition, or been injured in an accident. Provided the condition meets the definition of “disabled” by the SSA, the person is entitled to receive disability benefits.
The SSA defines disability as not being able to perform a gainful activity due to a physical or mental impairment that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. In order to determine if you meet the requirements to receive SSDI, the SSA will review the evidence presented in response to five questions:
- Are you working now?
- Is your physical or mental condition “severe”?
- Is your physical or mental condition on the SSA’s list of disabling conditions?
- Are you able to return to the work you did prior to the accident?
- Are you able to perform any other type of work?
Automobile Accidents Can Cause a
Person to Be Disabled
Not all car accidents result in the victim being disabled; however, it does happen. For example, if a passenger is injured in an automobile accident and he loses his leg, he will likely be unable to return to work if he is a construction worker. If a driver suffers a severe head injury that affects her short and long-term memory, she may be unable to return to work as an accountant.
The above examples are not an indication of the severity required to qualify for SSDI. Your injury may not be as severe as the loss of a limb or severe brain trauma but you may still qualify for disability benefits. To discuss your specific circumstances, contact our office for a free consultation.
Contact an Experienced Radcliff and Elizabethtown Social Security
Disability Attorney
We’ve Helped Thousands of KY Families, we can help you!
The Social Security attorneys of Musselwhite Meinhart & Staples, PSC have over 50 years of combined legal experience. If you have been in an automobile accident that has left you disabled, we can help you file your SSDI application. We represent clients throughout central Kentucky.
Contact us at our Radcliff and Elizabethtown Office in Hardin County at (270) 351-6032 or toll-free at 1-800-754-HELP to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys. You may also contact our office through our convenient online contact form.