Protecting Yourself After An Accident: Why Self-Advocacy Matters

It’s normal for life to feel like it’s flying by after an accident. Suddenly, you have to navigate missed work, medical appointments, insurance calls, and emotional stress, all while dealing with physical pain and recovery. So, amidst this chaos, you may want to take things “one step at a time” and worry about legal help later.

But protecting yourself following an accident isn’t just about healing. It’s about making sure your daily life, finances, and overall future aren’t compromised while you’re trying to heal. Because in many cases, the decisions you make in the days and weeks immediately after your accident can have a lasting impact on your life.

That’s why the idea of self-advocacy is so critical. To self-advocate means to recognize when you shouldn’t have to handle everything on your own and seek legal guidance early.

At Langella & Langella, we’ve seen firsthand how waiting too long to consult an attorney can make an already tough situation even more complicated. That’s why we’re here to remind you that self-advocacy is not about fighting for justice alone. It’s about protecting yourself by ensuring you have the right support system in place from the beginning.

The Reality After An Accident: Victims Are Not The Priority 

One of the most common indicators of unjust treatment is delay with no clear explanation. You might notice adjusters taking a long time to return your phone calls or requesting paperwork you’ve already submitted. On top of that, they may provide vague answers regarding the review of your claim, with no concrete timeline for resolution.

Make no mistake: these delays aren’t coincidental, they’re strategic. Insurance companies know that, the longer a claim drags on, the more frustrated and financially impacted a victim may become. This, in turn, makes the victim more willing to accept a low settlement offer.

What “Self-Advocacy” Looks Like After An Accident 

When it comes to personal injury, self-advocacy simply means taking proactive steps to safeguard your health, your legal rights, and your future. This includes recognizing when professional help is necessary and acting accordingly.

One of the strongest ways you can advocate for yourself is by consulting a personal injury attorney. Contrary to popular belief, this doesn’t automatically mean that you have to file a lawsuit or go to court. It just allows you to get a professional opinion and make important decisions with an experienced guide by your side.

Thereafter, there are a few key ways you can stand up for your health, financial security, and emotional well-being.

Advocating For Your Health: Get Care & Documentation Early

It’s common for accident victims to underestimate their injuries, especially when adrenaline is high and pain is temporarily masked. But don’t just brush off your symptoms, because they may worsen days or weeks later.

Instead, get medical care as soon as possible and follow through with your treatment. Delaying medical care doesn’t just have the potential to worsen your injuries, but will also give insurance companies grounds to question whether the accident really caused your pain.

Advocating For Your Finances: Beware Of Insurance Company Tactics

To self-advocate financially, realize that quick settlement offers are usually not in your best interest. Insurance adjusters tend to reach out early in hopes of resolving claims cheaply, before injuries have a chance to fully develop. And once a settlement is accepted, it cannot be undone.

However, by involving a personal injury attorney early, you’ll have an experienced professional on your team who can handle all communication with insurers, accurately evaluate any settlement offers, and make sure your claim is reflective of both current and future financial losses.

Advocating For Your Emotional Well-Being

Finally, accidents never cause physical injuries alone. They also bring anxiety, stress, and frustration that have the potential to impact your mental health.

This reality is not something you should not overlook, since emotional well-being can have a significant impact on physical recovery.

We encourage victims to view partnering with an attorney who manages deadlines, paperwork, and insurer communication as a form of self-care. By knowing someone else is looking out for your best interests, you’ll benefit from peace of mind while you heal.

Standing Up For Yourself Means Asking For Help

Self-advocacy doesn’t mean doing everything by yourself. It’s about realizing when your recovery is better served by allowing an experienced legal team to step in and guide you through the process.

At Langella & Langella Personal Injury Attorneys, we believe accident victims deserve support, not pressure. And for over four decades, we’ve helped clients across Long Island protect their health, their finances, and their futures by acting early. If you’ve been injured in an accident, don’t wait too long to seek help, because advocating for yourself starts with having the right team by your side.

Contact us today for a Free Consultation by calling (631) 348-9500.