It’s second nature for many people to share life events on social media. However, after a car accident, what you post online can result in negative consequences if you’re not careful. That’s especially true if you are planning to pursue an insurance and/or personal injury claim.
Insurance companies and attorneys often monitor social media for evidence that could be used to dispute the injuries of crash victims or to minimize their clients’ liability. If you’ve recently been involved in a collision, being mindful of what you share can protect your case and help you better ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
Social media can harm your legal strategy
Social media posts, comments or even photos that seem harmless can be taken out of context and used against you. Some common examples of how social media can negatively impact your case include:
- Contradicting your injuries: If you claim serious injuries but post photos of yourself engaging in physical activities, insurers may argue that your injuries are not as severe as stated.
- Downplaying emotional distress: If you post updates about social events or vacations, the defense may argue that you are not suffering from pain, trauma or emotional distress as claimed.
- Admitting fault: Even an innocent statement in a post or comment could be misinterpreted as an admission of guilt, potentially affecting your liability.
- Tagging and check-ins: Location check-ins or being tagged in activities that suggest physical movement may be used to dispute your limitations or suffering.
To more effectively safeguard the strength of your personal injury claim, the safest approach is to avoid posting about the accident, your injuries or your recovery altogether. Limiting your exposure on social media is one of the most important steps you can take post-crash.
