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Social Security Disability: Everything You Need to Know
Social Security Disability: everything you need to know
Anyone can become temporarily or permanently disabled. In fact, many experts believe that Americans in their 20s today have about a 30% chance of experiencing a disabling condition severe enough to cause at least three months of missed work before they retire. Yet despite the significant risk of disability, most Americans have neither short-term nor long-term disability insurance.
If you sustain an illness or injury that leaves you unable to work, what can you do? One option is to apply for monthly disability benefits through the Social Security Administration, which also provides retirement benefits to seniors. However, qualifying for Social Security disability benefits can be complicated, and the bar for qualifying is set fairly high.
If you think you may come to rely on Social Security disability benefits — or if you simply want to find out how they work — this complete guide will provide the answers you need.
What are Social Security disability benefits?
Social Security disability benefits are monthly payments that help support people who become too disabled to work. There are two different programs through which the SSA pays disability benefits. Those programs are:
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Although both programs use the same basic definition of “disabled,” and there’s some overlap between the programs, there are also major fundamental differences. SSI and SSDI are intended for two different groups of disabled workers; the benefits and qualifying requirements differ; and the funding sources are different.
What is Social Security Disability Insurance?
Social Security Disability Insurance is a safety net program that essentially insures workers in the case they get sick or injured and can’t work as a result. However, with SSDI, you don’t pay premiums to an insurance company. Instead, you pay Social Security taxes out of each paycheck, and a portion of this tax money goes to fund the SSDI program.
If you have a qualifying disability, you can apply for SSDI benefits. These benefits can be paid to you the entire time you’re disabled until you reach retirement age and transition to retirement benefits.
How much income does SSDI provide?
If you qualify for SSDI, the amount of income you receive is determined by your work history and the wages you earned over your career. A similar approach is used to calculate Social Security retirement benefits. As with retirement benefits, the SSA calculates your average wages over your working life and plugs that number into a formula, and the result is the amount of your monthly check.
However, with retirement benefits, the SSA looks at your average wages over the 35 years when you earned the most — but you may not have a 35-year work history if you’ve become disabled. To determine how many years of wages to consider in calculating SSDI benefits, the SSA:
Subtracts 22 from your current age. So, if you were 50, you’d subtract 50-22 = 28
Takes one-fifth of that number and rounds down to the nearest whole number. So, you’d take 1/5 of 28 in our example, which equals 5.6 and which rounds down to 5.
Subtracts the second number from the first. If the second number is less than two, then SSA subtracts two instead. If it’s more than five, the SSA subtracts five. In our example, the SSA would take 28-5, so it would consider 23 years of work history.
The SSA looks at your earnings over this designated number of work years (23 in our example), adjusts your wages for inflation, and calculates your average indexed monthly earnings (AIME). Once the SSA determines your AIME over the appropriate number of years, you’ll receive benefits equal to:
90% of the first $895 in AIME
32% of AIME between $895 and $5,397
15% of AIME above $5,397
This is the formula as of 2018. You can also sign into your Social Security account (or create a new one) to find out how much you’d receive in SSDI benefits if you became disabled.
As of 2018, the maximum SSDI benefit is $2,788 monthly, while the average benefit is $1,197 per month.
How do you qualify for SSDI?
To qualify for SSDI, you need to meet some basic requirements.
You must have earned a sufficient number of work credits.
Work credits are basically points you accumulate by earning, and paying Social Security taxes on, a certain amount of money. In 2018, you earn one work credit for every $1,320 in wages or self-employment income. You can earn four credits per year, so once you’ve earned $5,280 in taxable income in a year, you can’t earn any more credits until the next year.
The specific number of work credits you need to qualify for SSDI will vary depending how old you are when you become disabled. As a general rule, you can potentially qualify if you’ve earned at least 20 credits in the 10 years prior to becoming disabled and if you’ve earned a total of 40 credits or more.
However, if you’re younger when you become disabled, the work credit requirement is reduced based on age. For example, if you’re under 24 when you become disabled, you can become eligible for SSDI if you’ve earned at least six work credits in the three year period before your disability occurs.
If you’re between the ages of 24 and 31, you can qualify if you’ve earned work credits at least half the time between age 21 and the time you develop your disability. If you’re between the ages of 31 and 62, there’s a chart showing the number of credits you need.
You cannot be engaged in substantial gainful activity
“Substantial gainful activity” (SGA) is basically defined as earning at least a certain amount of income from work (earnings from other sources don’t count in determining SGA). The SGA level changes periodically. In 2018, if you earn at least $1,180 per month from working — or $1,970 per month if you’re blind — you won’t be allowed to receive SSDI, benefits because the SSA will deem you to have engaged in substantial gainful activity.
This restriction exists because the SSA wants to make sure your disability is in fact preventing you from working. If you earn a regular paycheck, then by definition you are not too disabled to work.
You have to meet the definition of disabled
We’ll talk about this in greater detail later, but generally, this means you need to have a serious long-term medical condition that prevents you from working. The cause of your impairment doesn’t matter — it can be the result of an accident, an illness, or any other cause. The important thing is that you meet the SSA’s specific and narrow definition of what it means to be disabled.
You must be unable to do any job you’re qualified for
You must be unable to do not only the job you were doing when you became disabled, but also any other job for which you’re qualified. The SSA will look at your transferrable skills to find out whether you can do any work despite your disabling condition.
In general, the younger you are, the more likely it is that the SSA will decide you have transferrable skills and can find some type of work despite your disability.
What if you don’t have enough work credits?
If you don’t have enough work credits to qualify for SSDI, it’s possible you may be able to qualify based on a spouse’s or parent’s work record. For example:
Widows or widowers between the ages of 50 and 60 who become disabled may qualify for widow’s disability benefits based on a spouse’s work history.
If you become disabled before age 22, you can be classified as an adult child and potentially become eligible for SSDI benefits based on a parent’s work history.
The Social Security Administration has more information on qualifying for benefits on a family member’s work history. If you can’t qualify based on your own work record or a family member’s work record, then you will not be able to get SSDI benefits. However, you may still be eligible for disability benefits through the Supplemental Security Income program.
What is Supplemental Security Income?
Supplemental Security Income benefits are awarded to with a disabling condition, a low income, and limited resources. Seniors over 65 can also qualify for SSI benefits.
SSI benefits are funded through general tax revenue, rather than through special taxes collected solely for the program. You can qualify for these benefits regardless of your work history, but you must have low income and few valuable assets.
How much can you receive in Supplemental Security Income?
The monthly income you’ll receive from SSI is typically lower than the monthly benefit you’d get from SSDI. It’s not based on past wages but is instead a fixed amount based on the federal benefit rate.
As of 2018, the monthly maximum SSI benefit is $750 for eligible individuals and $1,125 for couples.
How do you qualify for SSI?
You can qualify for SSI if:
You’re aged, blind, or disabled
This would mean you’re over 65, you’re legally blind, or you meet the SSA’s definition of disabled. The definition of disabled is the same for SSI and SSDI, and we’ll cover that in more detail later.
You have limited income
You can’t get SSI benefits if you’re engaged in substantial gainful activity. The definition of SGA for SSI is the same as it for SSDI, so you won’t be eligible for benefits if you earn $1,180 per month or more, or $1,970 per month or more if you’re blind.
Because SSI benefits are needs-based, there are other rules when it comes to income as well. If you have $750 per month or more in countable income, you can’t qualify for SSI. If you have some countable income, your maximum $750 monthly benefit will be reduced on a dollar-for-dollar basis.
The SSI counts only certain types income in determining whether you will receive reduced benefits or become ineligible. This includes income earned from working, workers’ compensation or unemployment benefits, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, other Social Security benefits, or family or friends. If you’re provided with free food or shelter, this also counts as income.
However, SNAP benefits, income tax refunds, certain other government benefits, loans, grants or scholarships for tuition, and the first $20 in income received in a month are not countable for the purpose of determining whether you can get SSI benefits.
You have few assets
There’s also a limit on how much you can own before you become ineligible for SSI. Individuals with more than $2,000 in countable assets won’t qualify for SSI, while couples are allowed up to $3,000 in assets.
Assets or resources that are counted for the purpose of determining whether you hit this $2,000 or $3,000 threshold include cash, bank accounts, stocks, savings bonds, vehicles, land, personal property, life insurance, and other things you own that you could convert into shelter or food. However, some of your assets — such as the home you live in, one vehicle, and some personal property — won’t count when determining your resources.
If you give away your resources to fall below the asset limits, you could be disqualified from getting SSI benefits for up to 36 months.
What is the Social Security Administration’s definition of “disabled”?
To obtain disability payments from either SSI or SSDI, you must meet the Social Security Administration’s definition of disabled. This is not as easy as it sounds. For the SSA to consider you disabled, your condition must:
Last a year, be expected to last a year, or be expected to result in your death.
Significantly limit your ability to do basic activities necessary to work, such as walking, sitting, standing, or retaining and remembering information.
Be included in the SSA’s “Listing of Impairments” (more on that shortly) or be medically equivalent to listed conditions. This Listing of Impairments is also called the “Blue Book.”
Prevent you from doing any work for which you’re qualified.
More than half of all applicants for disability benefits are denied, often because their ailment does not meet this very limited definition of what it means to be disabled.
What is the Listing of Impairments?
The Listing of Impairments is a list of conditions or health problems the SSA has prepared that are usually considered severe enough to allow you to qualify for benefits. It’s divided into Part A, which lists adult conditions, and Part B, which lists children’s conditions.
Within each part, there are specific categories of medical ailments that deal with different parts of the body, including:
The Musculoskeletal System
Special Senses and Speech
Respiratory Disorders
The Cardiovascular System
The Digestive System
Genitourinary Disorders
Hematological Disorders
Skin Disorders
Endocrine Disorders
Congenital Disorders that Affect Multiple Body Systems
Neurological Disorders
Mental Disorders
Cancer (Malignant Neoplastic Diseases)
Immune System Disorders
In each of these individual subsections are diseases, disorders, and medical problems that the SSA believes may allow you to qualify for benefits. However, having a listed condition still isn’t enough. The SSA also lists specific symptoms you must exhibit or criteria you must meet to qualify for benefits based on that condition.
For example, to qualify for disability benefits based on chronic heart failure, you must be undergoing treatment and still have medically documented proof of systolic or diastolic failure. The SSA even defines exactly what it considers to be systolic or diastolic failure.
The chronic heart failure also must result in: persistent symptoms of heart failure that interfere with daily living; three or more separate episodes of acute congestive heart failure over a consecutive 12-month period; or an inability to perform an exercise tolerance test for specified reasons, such as chest discomfort.
For many listed conditions, there are extensive details about what symptoms you have to experience — and with what frequency. If your condition isn’t listed, you’ll need documented proof it causes symptoms as severe as those exhibited by patients with ailments on the Listing of Impairments.
How do you apply for disability benefits?
If you believe you meet the qualifying criteria to apply for disability benefits, you can:
Apply online: You can apply for SSDI benefits online if you’re over 18, do not currently receive benefits, and have not been denied benefits in the past 60 days. That said, only certain people applying for SSI benefits can apply online. You must be between age 18 and 65, and you cannot apply online if you’ve been married, if you’re blind, or if you’ve applied for or received SSI benefits before. You also must be applying for SSDI benefits at the same time.
Apply at your local Social Security office. You can call 800-772-1213 or contact your local Social Security office to schedule an appointment to submit an application for benefits.
What you need to apply for benefits
When you apply for benefits, you’ll need to provide some basic demographic information, including details about:
Your work history
Your current earnings
Your household income and household assets
Your bank or financial institution
Your current and past employers
Up to five jobs you’ve held over the past 15 years
Other benefits you may be receiving
Your citizenship status
Discharge from the military (if applicable)
You will need to provide certain documents, including pay stubs, proof of citizenship, and W-2s. Most importantly, you will also need to provide information about your disabling condition, including detailed medical records.
Providing information about your medical condition
Providing proof of your disabling condition is the most important part of applying for Social Security Disability. You will need to provide any medical records you have in your possession and give the Social Security Administration authority to access other medical records.
The SSA wants to receive information about your condition from your treating physician. This is the doctor who sees you on a regular basis. The SSA only accepts medical information from licensed physicians and prefers to have records provided by experts in the field of medicine related to your disability. If you’re applying because you have cancer, the SSA would expect to see medical records from your oncologist.
It’s imperative that your doctor fully document your symptoms and any treatments you undergo; this will give you the best chance of obtaining SSDI or SSI benefits. The Social Security Administration may also ask you to undergo an examination or evaluation with one of its doctors at some point during the application or appeals process.
How does the application process work?
When you provide details about your medical condition to the SSA, your local Social Security office reviews your basic information to see if you could potentially qualify based on income and work history.
Your file is then sent off to a disability claims examiner who will review all of your medical documentation. The claims examiner will make a decision on your case, and you’ll be notified via mail whether your claim has been approved or denied. It usually takes around a month to 90 days to receive the decision on your application.
What if your application is denied?
The denial rate for Social Security Disability benefits is very high, so there’s a significant chance your application won’t be approved. If your claim is denied, there are multiple stages of appeal, including:
Request for reconsideration, which means a new disability claims examiner reviews your claim again
A hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ)
A review by the Social Security Administration’s internal appeals board
Appeal to a federal court
The decision not to award you benefits could be reversed at any stage of the appeals process. For example, your request for reconsideration could result in your benefits being approved and you wouldn’t need to move on to additional appeals. However, you must go through each phase if your claim continues to be denied and you want to keep fighting.
If you must appeal a benefits denial, the process of getting benefits can take a very long time. In fact, depending where you live, it may take around a year for a hearing to be scheduled. You may be able to attend your hearing via video if you’re unable to attend in person.
All of these stages of appeal take place within the Social Security’s administrative process until you get to the federal court appeal. The ALJ works for the Social Security Administration but is still supposed to impartially weigh the evidence to determine whether your claim was handled properly.
If you don’t already have an attorney and your benefits claim is denied, it’s often best to get legal representation so a knowledgeable advocate can guide you through the appeals process.
Compassionate allowance conditions
Although it generally takes a lot of time and effort to receive Social Security Disability benefits, some people who are very sick with a serious medical condition may be able to get their claims approved through a streamlined process.
This is possible if you have a Compassionate Allowance Condition, or a condition on the SSA’s Compassionate Allowance List. Listed conditions include metastatic cancers, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Lewy Body Dementia, some genetic conditions, and a number of other serious ailments.
When you specify that you have a medical condition included on the Compassionate Allowance List, your application will be fast-tracked, and you may get a decision in as little as 10 days from the time you apply for benefits. You may also need to provide only a small amount of objective medical data, rather than having to meet extensive requirements for documenting your ailment, as most other applicants must provide.
Applying for disability benefits could provide the income you need
When you’re physically or mentally disabled due to an illness or injury, the last thing you need is to worry about your finances. Social Security disability benefits provide a secure source of income so you can provide for yourself and your loved ones. You should apply for benefits as soon as possible if you’re eligible so you will have the money you need to be financially secure and maintain the highest quality of life you can.
Repost: Link to original article here:
https://www.fool.com/retirement/2018/10/27/social-security-disability-everything-you-need-to.aspx
The Importance of Changing Passwords: Enhancing Security Amidst Inconvenience In today's digital age, where our lives are increasingly intertwined with technology, the security of our personal information is paramount. One of the simplest yet most effective measures we can take to protect ourselves online is regularly changing our passwords. While this practice may seem inconvenient at times, its significance cannot be overstated. Why Change Passwords? Passwords are the first line of defense against unauthorized access to our accounts, whether it's our email, social media profiles, online banking, or other sensitive information. Over time, however, passwords can become compromised due to various factors: 1. Data Breaches: Large-scale breaches happen frequently, exposing millions of passwords to cybercriminals. 2. Phishing Attacks: Deceptive attempts to trick users into revealing their passwords are increasingly sophisticated. 3. Weak Passwords: Passwords that are easy to guess or reuse across multiple accounts are vulnerable. Regularly changing passwords mitigates these risks by reducing the window of opportunity for attackers to use compromised credentials. Even if your password hasn’t been directly exposed, changing it periodically adds an extra layer of security. Best Practices for Strong Passwords When updating passwords, it’s crucial to adhere to best practices to maximize security: • Complexity: Use a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. • Length: Aim for a minimum of 12 characters; longer passwords are generally more secure. • Uniqueness: Avoid using the same password across multiple accounts to prevent a single breach compromising all your accounts. • Avoid Personal Information: Refrain from using easily guessable information like birthdates or pet names. Managing the Inconvenience Despite understanding the importance of changing passwords, many users find it inconvenient. Here are some tips to manage this process effectively: • Password Managers: These tools securely store and generate passwords, making it easier to maintain unique and strong passwords across accounts. • Set Reminders: Use calendar reminders or built-in features of password managers to prompt regular password updates. • Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA wherever possible to add an extra layer of security beyond passwords. The Bottom Line While changing passwords might seem like a hassle, it’s a small inconvenience compared to the potential consequences of a security breach. By doing so, you’re actively taking control of your online safety and reducing the risk of falling victim to cyberattacks. Whether you’re protecting personal information or sensitive business data, regular password changes are a crucial step in safeguarding against cyber threats.
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Long warm-weather seasons and the abundance of beautiful lakes naturally make recreational boating a popular pastime on area lakes. Sadly, each year tallies thousands of boating accidents and hundreds of fatalities, statistics that are inevitably increased due to impaired vessel operators. Needless to say, other factors influence boating accidents, but it is safe to say none of them listed here is more easily avoidable, or in the operator's full control than operating a watercraft under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Here are some important reminders of how to keep yourself and your loved ones safe while boating. WHY ARE BOATING ACCIDENTS SO DANGEROUS? Unlike an accident on dry land, emergency medical assistance is not readily available on the water. And, if the boat operator is injured, there may not be anyone else who can summon help or drive the boat to shore. In addition, drowning is the cause of an overwhelming majority of boating accident fatalities (79%). When a vessel operator or passenger goes into the water as the result of a crash, it is unlikely that help will arrive in time to save them. Knowing that many of these deaths could have been prevented if the victims had worn life jackets makes the statistics even more tragic. WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON CAUSES OF BOATING ACCIDENTS? The U.S. Coast Guard identifies the following top 10 causes of recreational boating accidents: Alcohol use (by boat drivers and passengers) Operating a watercraft under the influence of alcohol or drugs is dangerous AND illegal. Alabama boating laws state that "No person shall drive or be in actual physical control of a vessel or manipulate any water skis, aquaplane, or any other marine transportation device while: there is 0.08% or more by weight of alcohol in the blood. (BAL) under the influence of alcohol. under the influence of a controlled substance. under the combined influence of alcohol and a controlled substance. under the influence of any substance that impairs the mental or physical faculties of the person. Refusal to submit to a field breath test or other approved testing shall result in the same punishment as provided for operators of motor vehicles on the state highways (automatic suspension of vessel license). Operator inattention Many accidents are caused by a distracted operator who fails to notice an oncoming vessel, sudden squall, swimmers, or other impending danger. Improper lookout For decades best-practice guidelines have recommended a second individual be assigned the role of "spotter" in recreational boating. The spotter's role is to be an extra lookout for swimmers or other potential hazards so the vessel operator can focus solely on controlling the vessel. Like a distracted boat driver, a designated lookout person who is not paying attention may inadvertently cause an accident by failing to warn the operator about potential hazards. Lack of operator instruction and experience Some data shows as much as 70% of boating fatalities occur on boats where the operator had not received proper boating safety instructions. In contrast, fatal accidents involving operators who had earned nationally-approved boating safety education certificates typically make up less than 20% of annual fatality totals. Experience as a boat operator can be harder to gain as recreational boating does not usually occur on a daily basis. Excessive speed Just like on public highways, speeding is a major cause of serious boating accidents. In fact, driving a boat at high speed can be more dangerous than speeding in a car because it takes more time to stop or change direction in order to avoid a crash Machinery or equipment failure A defective part or equipment malfunction can cause a serious accident. This could be caused by poor maintenance or a flaw in the design or manufacture of the vessel or equipment. Navigation rules violation Being unfamiliar with the rules governing certain lakes and waterways can result in collisions where people are injured or killed. Navigational laws can vary, even within the same state, so it’s wise to become familiar with the rules for each destination. Hazardous weather conditions Weather can change rapidly, especially in large bodies of water. Even if the weather is fair at the beginning of a ride, boat operators should monitor weather reports throughout the trip and watch for changing conditions. Rough water due to currents or tidal flow Sudden shifts in the current or tide can result in rough and hard-to-navigate waters, particularly for smaller boats. Therefore, operators should be extra cautious when entering areas that are known for these conditions. Force of wave/wake When the hull of a boat moves through the water, it creates waves that are known as a wake. Depending on the size and speed of the boat, these waves can be quite strong. In addition, a wake created by a large boat can cause a smaller boat to capsize or veer into another boat. View the full Alabama boating laws page online
Telephone Scams and Mail Fraud have been around for a long time, with bad actors attempting to take advantage of innocent and vulnerable people. When email became common in our society, it didn't take the bad guys long to adapt their tactics and modern culture called these new forms of email attacks "Phishing Scams." Now, more than ever, modern smartphones allow business to be conducted by text and it is not surprising that scammers are once again targeting this new technology. The common goal of all of these attacks is to steal money from unsuspecting victims. The technical name for what most of us call a text message is SMS, which stands for "Short Message Service." Combining this new acronym with the now common email Phishing Scam gives us "Smishing Scams," yet another threatening term those of us doing business on our phones need to be alert to. Like phishing emails, smishing texts are social-engineering scams that aim to manipulate people into turning over sensitive data such as Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, and account passwords or providing access to a business computer system. They rely on persuading you that the sender is a familiar or trusted source and that urgent action is needed to secure a benefit, resolve a problem, or avert a threat. They might come from a mobile provider, or a service like Netflix or PayPal , claiming your account has expired or been locked, and you need to provide personal information or click on a link to reactivate it. That gives the scammers the means to steal your money or identity or to infect your device with malware. Bogus bank fraud warnings were the most common type of text-based scams reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 2022 — up nearly 20-fold since 2019. These texts will often appear to be from major banks like Wells Fargo or Bank of America, with urgent messages for customers to verify a transaction, according to the agency. Also extremely common: fake delivery-related text messages , purportedly from the likes of Amazon, FedEx, or the U.S. Postal Service about an impending package or a shipment snafu . You may be sent to a website, where you’re asked to verify your address and perhaps pay a small “redelivery fee.” But variations abound. A scam text might say you've won a lottery prize or a gift card , or promise a break on break on student loan debt . It could look like an alert from a government agency such as Social Security or the IRS or a link to a phony invoice or cancellation notice for a product or service you supposedly bought. WARNING SIGNS YOU CAN LEARN TO SPOT: A text message requests personal information, such as your Social Security number or an online account password. The message asks you to click a link to resolve a problem, win a prize, or access a service. The message claims to be from a government agency. Government bodies seldom initiate contact with someone by phone or text, according to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY? Consider using tools that filter or block unwanted messages or unknown senders: Your mobile device may have built-in spam protection. Check the settings on its messaging app. Most major wireless carriers offer call-blocking services . Some call-blocking apps (see “More resources” below) also filter out junk texts. Don’t reply, even if the message says you can “text STOP” to avoid more messages. That tells the scammer or spammer your number is active and can be sold to other bad actors. Don’t assume a text is legitimate because it comes from a familiar phone number or area code. Spammers use caller ID spoofing to make it appear the text is from a trusted or local source. Never click on links in suspicious texts. They could install malware on your device or take you to a site that does the same. Contact the company or organization that supposedly sent the text, using a phone number or website you know to be legitimate, if you think it might concern a genuine problem.
The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is historically the most dangerous time of year for teen drivers. Some research shows up to 30% of all teen driving fatalities occur during the summer months. Teen drivers lack experience, and the summer months provide multiple reasons for increased risk. Not only is there more daylight and warmer weather, but most teens are out of school and have more free time to be behind the wheel. Here are five safety tips for your teen driver to practice, not just in the summer months but all year long. 1. Avoid Distraction . Research shows as high as 60% of all teen vehicle crashes involve driver distraction. One common misconception is that cell phones are the number one cause of distraction for teen drivers but that is actually not the case. Other passengers create more distractions for teen drivers than any other source. 2. Buckle Up . It is discussed so often that it may seem trite but seatbelt use is proven to reduce fatality rates in motor vehicle accidents. but data shows buckling up can reduce the risk of fatal injury by as much as 45%. 3. Impaired Driving . As high as 15% of all teen driving fatalities involve a blood alcohol content of more than twice the legal limit. 4. Limit Passengers. Most states, including Alabama, have graduated license laws restricting the number of passengers in vehicles operated by teen drivers. Literally all available data associates fewer passengers with lower fatality rates in motor vehicle accidents involving teen drivers. 5. Reduce Nighttime Driving. The fatal crash rate of 16-19-year-olds is nearly 400 times higher at night than during the day.
Identity theft affects millions of people each year and can cause serious harm. Protect yourself by securing your personal information, understanding the threat of identity theft, and exercising caution. Here are 10 things you can start doing now to protect yourself and your loved ones from identity theft: Protect your Social Security number by keeping your Social Security card in a safe place at home. Don’t carry it with you or provide your number unnecessarily. Be careful when you speak with unknown callers. Scammers may mislead you by using legitimate phone numbers or the real names of officials. If they threaten you or make you feel uneasy, hang up. Create strong, unique passwords so others can’t easily access your accounts. Use different passwords for different accounts so if a hacker compromises one account, they can’t access other accounts. Check out the Federal Trade Commission’s password checklist for tips. Never give your personal or financial information in response to an unsolicited call or message, and never post it on social media. Shred paper documents that contain personal information, like your name, birth date, and Social Security number. Protect your mobile device from unauthorized access by securing it with a PIN, adding a fingerprinting feature, or using facial recognition. You can also add a password and adjust the time before your screen automatically locks. Regularly check your financial accounts for suspicious transactions. You can also request and check a free credit report from each of the three credit bureaus every year: TransUnion , Equifax , and Experian . Avoid internet threats by installing and maintaining strong anti-virus software on all your devices—including your mobile device and personal computer. Use a virtual private network (VPN) to stay safe on public Wi-Fi. Do not perform certain activities that involve sensitive data, like online shopping and banking, on public Wi-Fi networks. Protect yourself on social media by customizing your security settings and deleting accounts you no longer use. Also, double-check suspicious messages from your contacts, as hackers may create fake accounts of people you know. Never click on any link sent via unsolicited email or text message—type in the web address yourself. Only provide information on secure websites.
Every accident case is different. Some settle more quickly than others. However, it is not uncommon, for a personal injury case to take a year or more to resolve after the case has been filed in court. Evaluating the Injury Prior to filing a lawsuit, it takes time to determine the full extent of your injuries. Doctors are often unable to give an opinion about the seriousness of an injury until your condition has stabilized. In serious injury cases, it may even take a year after the accident before your doctor can say whether or not your injuries are permanent. It is extremely important to take the necessary time to fully evaluate your injuries. You have only one chance to prove the extent to which you have been harmed. Once you accept a settlement offer, that decision is final. You cannot go back and ask for more money if you later find out your injuries are more serious. An experienced personal injury attorney knows how to keep your case moving through the legal system. Your personal injury case may move through these stages: 1. Written Discovery The written discovery period can last over six months. You will be asked to answer written questions (interrogatories) under oath. You will also be asked to produce documents or authorize others to produce documents such as accident reports and medical records. 2. Depositions During a deposition, you will be asked questions under oath. A court reporter types a record of everything that is said. Not only will you be questioned about the accident and your injuries, you will be asked questions about what your health, education, and work were like before the accident. 3. Mediation and Settlement The Court almost always requires a settlement conference or mediation before personal injury cases can go to trial. At mediation, a neutral trained mediator goes over the issues and evidence with the parties to help guide them toward a settlement agreement. 4. Trial If your case does not settle and goes to trial, a jury decides what your injury is worth. It can take eighteen months or longer to get the trial scheduled. Once the trial is over, there may be further appeals and motions. It's possible for the parties to settle the case during trial or even after trial in order to end an appeal. Your best strategy is to contact an attorney with experience in handling personal injury cases. Your attorney can give you an estimate about the length of time it takes to resolve your type of case. Also, ask your attorney to give you frequent reports on the status of your case so you know that your case is making its way through the legal process. It's understandable that you may be frustrated at the speed your case seems to be moving. However, you should never rush to take the first settlement offer made by an insurance company. The first offer is rarely your best settlement offer. .
Distracted driving has been on the increase for the last several years and continues to be one of the leading causes of vehicle accidents throughout the United States. If you are texting and driving down the highway at 55 mph, that’s like traveling the length of a football field with your eyes closed. You can only drive safely when your full attention is on the road. Any activity that isn’t related to driving is a potential distraction and increases your risk of a collision. While most research points to a mobile phone as the number one culprit, it is far from the only activity potentially stealing a driver's attention. Eating or drinking, grooming, radios, other passengers - especially children, and even pets can also be significant factors. Distracted driving accidents are preventable 99% of the time. Driving can become mundane at times, but we all must remember when driving we have an obligation to the safety of not only ourselves but those who ride with us and other drivers we share the road with. Some studies show listening to podcasts or certain types of music can enhance our concentration. It’s important to practice safe habits behind the wheel. You want to make sure that your passengers know how serious you are about driving without distractions. One of the most effective ways to lead is through example. Be a good example for your friends and family by avoiding driving while you’re distracted.
We see this question all the time. The injured party doesn’t want to use their own health insurance to pay for an injury. They believe it is the responsibility of the person at fault to pay for their medical bills. That may feel like the right position for an accident victim to take but the truth is, most of the time the injured party will end up with a larger settlement if they do, in fact, use their own medical benefits. Here's why; Health insurance companies have a negotiated price for medical services that is about 15 percent less than what people have to pay who don’t have health insurance. If your medical bills are $50,000.00 but Blue Cross Blue Shield pays $15,000.00 and the person who caused the wreck has $50,000.00 in liability coverage, that leaves $35,000.00 available for the injured party versus $0.00. Generally speaking, Blue Cross Blue Shield will reduce the $15,000.00 to $10,000.00 leaving $40,000.00 available. The point is that there’s more money available when you take advantage of your healthcare negotiated rates whether it’s United Health Care, Medicare, Medicaid, or Blue Cross Blue Shield. More money is better. Using your health insurance to pay your medical bills if you are injured, will almost always end up maximizing your settlement.
Once you reach the age of 65 you have many more options than before. As you know if you go on Medicare and you are under the age of 65 your options for health plans are limited. When you turn 65 you will have another open enrollment period to sign up for any plan you wish to get. In other words, just because you are already on Medicare does not prohibit you from having all the options a person not on Medicare and turning 65 would have.