A serious accident can temporarily or permanently disrupt your life, making it difficult to support yourself or your family due to painful, disabling injuries that affect mobility, cause chronic pain, or leave impairment. If you were injured in an accident, it’s important to consult an experienced car accident lawyer in Marysville. Fortunately, you may be eligible for disability benefits after an accident that results in severe or catastrophic injuries if your case meets the necessary criteria. The Social Security Administration (SSA) states the following:
“Individuals may be eligible for Disability if they have:
- A disability or blindness, and
- Enough work history.
A successful disability claim after an accident requires the accident victim to file detailed paperwork with substantial evidence supporting their disability claim.
How Do Washington Car Accidents Cause Disability?
Seatbelts save lives, but they cannot prevent all car accident injuries. The crash force of a collision transforms an average 150-pound person into an astonishing 8,250-pound force, propelling them forward against the seatbelt. Then the seatbelt locks into place, snapping them back against the seat, causing tremendous strain on the body’s musculoskeletal system. At the same time, a motorist is vulnerable to blunt-force trauma and crush injuries from the inward collapse of the vehicle at collision points. A serious accident sometimes causes severe or catastrophic injuries, such as:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Traumatic amputations
- The loss of one of the senses, such as hearing or vision
- Severe burns
- Chronic pain and/or limited mobility from severe back or neck injuries
The Social Security Administration carefully evaluates the severity and physical impacts of an injury to determine eligibility.
What Are the Criteria for Disability Benefits After a Washington Car Accident?
Not all car accident injury victims are eligible for disability benefits. To qualify, an injury victim must meet the following criteria:
- They must have a severe injury that interferes with their ability to work for at least a year or permanently
- Receiving Social Security Disability (SSDI) benefits requires meeting the minimum work credit requirement (meaning the applicant must have worked sufficiently to have earned enough credit to be eligible)
A Marysville personal injury lawyer can help a Washington accident victim file a compelling claim by paying meticulous attention to detail. An attorney evaluates the merits of the case and ensures that all filing requirements are met with meticulous attention to detail.
What Can a Successful Car Accident Claim Recover for a Disabled Car Accident Victim In Washington?
In addition to disability benefits, a car accident victim with catastrophic injuries can recover compensation for their economic damages, catastrophic injury damages, and compensation for pain and suffering by filing a car accident claim against the at-fault party in the accident under Washington’s pure comparative negligence law. As defined under Washington RCW 4.22.070, the law states the following:
“In all actions involving fault of more than one entity, the trier of fact shall determine the percentage of the total fault which is attributable to every entity which caused the claimant’s damages …”
A successful claim can recover compensation up to the limits of the at-fault party’s or parties’ insurance coverage, helping to relieve financial hardship and open doors to the best possible medical care. Contact us today for legal guidance.