Can You Get SSD or SSI Disability Benefits If you are Injured In An Accident?

How to prove you are disabled
and win disability benefits

Individuals who are injured in accidents most often suffer severe acute injuries that may or may not result in a state of permanent disability. Social Security is not a short-term disability program, nor is it a percentage of disability program like VA disability.

Social Security defines disability as any disabling impairment that prevents an individual from performing substantial work for at least twelve months. Many individuals injured in accidents sustain severe, even life threatening injuries that medically improve within twelve months. For this reason, disability claims that involve injuries sustained in an accident are routinely denied with a durational denial. This simply means, that Social Security feels the disability claimant’s medical condition will improve to a level that is not considered disabling in less than twelve months.

Often, individuals sustain fractures, muscle or tendon injuries, sprains, cuts, contusions, etc. These injuries will most likely resolve in less than twelve months in most cases. While some people injured in accidents have a hard time getting disability, there are other accident victims who sustain injuries that are so traumatic they leave no doubt that they will never medically improve to a point of not being disabled.

For example, if a person’s injuries cause them to be bound to a wheel chair, statutory blindness, vegetative state, extended coma, loss of multiple limbs, or any number of severe traumatic injuries, they most likely will be approved for SSDI or SSI disability on their initial disability claim.

Just because your initial disability claim is denied for duration considerations, it does not mean that you will never be approved for Social Security disability (SSDI) or SSI based upon injuries you have received as a result of an accident. Severe fractures of ankles, legs, or even arms do not always heal in twelve months and often cause functional limitations for a lifetime. If your injury has not healed and your disability claim has been denied, you should file an appeal of your denial. It can be difficult to get disability based upon injuries you sustained in an accident but not impossible.

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Topics and Questions

Qualifying for Disability - What is Social Security Looking for?

Is there a trick to qualifying for disability benefits with social security?

After I File For Disability Will Social Security Pay For Me To See A Doctor?

Social Security Disability Primary Insured amount?

How does a Medical Source Statement (RFC Form) help win a Social Security Disability or SSI Claim?

Should you get a Non-Attorney Disability Representative for a Social Security or SSI case?

Applying for disability benefits in Massachusetts

Can my Social Security Disability or SSI benefits be stopped or cutoff ?

Is there a way to check the Credentials of a Disability Lawyer?

Who is the DDS Doctor, i.e. the Social Security Doctor?

Can You Lose Your Social Security Disability Benefits When Your Case Is Reviewed?

Why Will A Social Security Disability Application Get Denied? (SSDI Denial)

Applying for Disability - what are the rules?

For Social Security Disability Do I Need To Give My Dates of Treatment?

Degenerative Disc Disease, Social Security Disability, and Applying for Benefits

When I Apply For Disability Should I List My Old Meds From Years Ago?

What Is the Five Step Sequential Evaluation Process Social Security Uses In Every Disability Case?

How long does a social security disability hearing last?

For Social Security Disability Do I Need To Give My Dates of Treatment?

Insured Status is What Makes SSDI and SSI Different From Each Other

Do people need Lawyers for Disability Claims?

When does social security consider you eligible for disability benefits?

How To Get SSDI Approved

Does Your Last Job Determine If You Receive A Social Security or SSI Award?

Proving a Social Security Disability Case Often Means Getting a Statement from Your Doctor

Do Disability Lawyers Require A Retainer?

Working and Disability - Are You Allowed to Work While Receiving Social Security Disability or SSI?

What Happens If I Miss My Social Security Appeal Date?

Hiring a Qualified Disability Lawyer in Maryland

How much does Disability Pay?

The Sequence of Steps to be Approved for Social Security Disability or SSI

Waiting for a Hearing to be Scheduled before an ALJ, Administrative Law Judge

SSD and SSI are Federal Programs

The title II Social Security Disability and title 16 SSI Disability programs operate under federal guidelines and, therefore, the program requirements--medical and non-medical--apply to all states:

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Recent approval and denial statistics for various states can be viewed here:

Social Security Disability, SSI Approval and Denial Statistics by state

Special Section: Disability Lawyers and unnecessary claim denials