SSDI is not for short-term disability
Some auto accident injuries take several months to recover from. But, if your prognosis is good, your doctor may tell you that you will eventually make a full recovery. In this situation, you would most likely not be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits. In order to qualify for SSDI, you must have a disability that is expected to last at least 12 months.
Broken bones may be serious enough to qualify
If you sustain broken bones, particularly if they are not healing properly and affect your ability to continue working, you may qualify for SSDI. It depends on the location of the breaks, in most cases. If you break bones in your leg that do not heal properly, affecting your ability to walk, you will likely qualify for SSDI benefits. If the broken bones are in your arms and you have not regained full function, you may also qualify. In other cases, you may be required to prove to Social Security that you are no longer able to work, before you will be awarded benefits.
Disability benefits may be available for burn injuries
Since burn injuries typically take a long time to heal and often cause significant permanent or long-term limitations on movement and functioning, it is very possible that you can receive SSDI benefits for those types of injuries following an auto accident.
Brain injuries may also be a basis for disability benefits
Some victims of auto accidents do not have visible injuries, but instead suffer from impairment of cognitive functioning. For instance, if you have a difficult time remembering things following an auto accident, that may be a sign of a brain injury. Depending on the severity of the impairment, if you are unable to work for an extended period of time, you may be eligible for SSDI benefits.
Emotional or psychological injuries might qualify.
In some unfortunate cases, victims suffer from severe anxiety following an auto accident, which prevents them from traveling in a car again. If you are diagnosed with anxiety, which is severe enough to prevent you from working, you may be able to receive SSDI benefits. In most cases, you will need a psychiatrist to determine whether you suffer from general anxiety or some other ailment. There are cases where someone involved in a serious auto accident suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. This can be a basis for disability, as well.
If you have questions regarding automobile accidents or Social Security disability benefits, call the Cottrell Law Office at (888) 433-4861.
Wesley Cottrell
Wes Cottrell earned his B.A. from Pittsburg State University in 1981 and his J.D. from the Washburn University School of Law in Topeka, Kansas in 1985. He was admitted to practice law in Kansas in 1986, in Missouri in 1987, in Arkansas in 1989, and Oklahoma in 1993. He is licensed to practice law in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, eastern Arkansas, western Arkansas, and western Missouri. He was Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Crawford County, Kansas from 1987-1989.
Rate this Post
Loading...