What Should I Do If I Have Been Injured in a Orange County Truck Accident?

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Any time you have been involved in an accident, there are certain precautionary steps you want to take. When you have been involved in an accident with a commercial truck, however, you may want to also call one of the top-rated truck accident attorneys in Orange County. Here are five things you should do if you have been injured in a truck accident in Orange County

Get medical attention

Commercial trucks can weigh up to 20-30 times as much as passenger vehicles, so you also stand a far greater chance of sustaining injuries. Even if you aren’t sure you sustained any injuries, you might want to get checked out within a few hours to be sure.

Take lots of pictures

If you don’t need immediate medical attention, then you will want to take as many photos of the accident scene and any damage as you can. You will also want to take pictures of any factors that may have contributed to the accident. Such as weather-related factors or road conditions like large potholes or debris in the road not related to the accident.

Write down everything you can remember

Being involved in an accident generally activates your fear response system, which can make it difficult to think clearly or remember small details. The truth is, however, your brain is still recording everything, even though it may all seem to be happening in slow motion. The sooner you can write down everything you remember from the accident, the less likely all those small details are to get lost. Sometimes, the smallest details can mean the difference between being compensated or not.

Document everything

You will want to keep a clear record of every aspect of the accident, including police reports, medical bills, repair bills, and any other transportation costs. You will also want to keep hard copies of any medical reports relating to any injuries you sustained as well as for any ongoing care you might need.

Call an attorney

Getting compensation for a truck accident can sometimes take months or even years. Unlike an accident with a passenger vehicle, a truck accident involves the driver, the company they work for, and the insurance company – all of whom will try and avoid taking responsibility for the accident.

We are one of the top-rated truck accident attorneys in Orange County for a reason. We can give you the clout you need to get you the compensation you deserve, so give us a call today.

Social Security: A Primer

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A Brief History

Social Security is a federal program that taxes workers’ income in order to provide benefits to retired people, those who are unemployed, disabled persons, and the families of retired, disabled, or deceased workers.

Today’s program was born out of the economic hardships of the 1920s and 30s. As industrial jobs replaced agriculture, traditional means of economic security vanished. During the Great Depression, unemployment exceeded 25 percent. People asked the government to save families from joblessness and poverty-ridden old age.

On August 14, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act. This law created a social insurance program designed to pay workers age 65 or older an income after retirement as well as provide general welfare benefits.

Types of Benefits

The main types of Social Security benefits are retirement, spousal and survivor, disability, Medicare, and Supplemental Security Income.

Retirement, Spousal, and Survivor Benefits

Anyone who has earned 40 credits toward Social Security can begin receiving retirement benefits at age 62. You can earn up to four credits per year by working and paying Social Security taxes. Your benefit is based on your contributions and the age at which you start collecting.

A person can collect retirement benefits based on a spouse’s record without affecting the spouse’s retirement payment. A widow or widower may qualify for survivor benefits based on the amount the late spouse was receiving or eligible to receive when he or she died. Children and dependent parents may also be eligible.

Disability

People who can’t work because they have a medical condition that is expected to last at least one year or result in death are eligible to collect disability benefits. The person must have worked long enough to qualify. Generally, 40 credits are needed, but younger workers may qualify with fewer credits.

Medicare

Medicare is a medical insurance program for people age 65 or older. Those with employer-provided health insurance will want to ask the insurance company how signing up for Medicare will affect those benefits.

Supplemental Security Income

Disabled adults and children who have limited income may receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. People 65 and older without disabilities who meet the financial limits are also eligible.

How to Apply

Those interested in further information should visit the official website of the U.S. Social Security Administration at www.ssa.gov. Individuals can apply for the majority of benefits online.