Sharing personal experiences on social media has become second nature for many people. From celebratory moments to challenging times, it has become commonplace to document almost every aspect of one’s life. However, if you’ve recently been involved in a car accident, hitting the pause button on your social media activity might be in your best interest.
“Wait, what?” you may be thinking. “I can’t stay off social media right now. I need support!” That is an understandable response to this warning. As a result, if you don’t feel like you can stay off social media entirely while your crash case remains unresolved, you’ll want to take steps to be as cautious as you can so that you don’t negatively affect the outcome of your case.
Why is social media use problematic for crash victims?
Insurance companies and defense attorneys often scour the social media profiles of accident victims. And, unfortunately, even an innocent photo or status update can be misinterpreted or twisted to serve the agenda of those looking at your account activity. For instance, a picture of you smiling at a family gathering post-accident could be used as evidence that you’re not as injured or traumatized as you claim.
Additionally, after an accident, emotions run high. It’s natural to want to express anger, frustration, or sadness. However, an “emotional outburst” on social media can be used against you, painting you as irrational or even at fault. Finally, if you post about the accident, and your recollection slightly differs from the official account or your later testimony, it can be used to challenge your credibility.
While the urge to share and find community support may be particularly strong in the wake of a crash, you need to prioritize your long-term well-being and legal standing by taking a hiatus from social media or by being extremely cautious about your posting activity until your case has concluded. Your future self may just thank you.
