After you’re involved in a serious auto accident, you will probably want to share that you are okay online, so your friends and family are informed. Before you post on Facebook or Instagram, Twitter, or another platform, wait just a second.
Using social media can have a negative effect on your personal injury claim. If you post photos of you going to school or work when you are trying to claim that you are badly injured, those pieces of evidence could come back to haunt you.
Remember that your social media can be accessed by many people. It is possible that an insurance agent, private detective, attorney or other professional could try to make a connection with one of your friends or family members to gain access to your page. So, even if you think that you locked down your posts, the reality is that they could still become public.
Social media is harmful during any personal injury case
Social media is harmful because people say things that may or may not be true. Most people like to put positive things on their social media. They may not share all of the pain or dysfunction they have dealt with during the day. Instead, they may share a photo where they look healthy or where they appear to be having fun at an event.
This is problematic because a photograph is just a moment in time. The insurance company or attorney might argue that you’re not as badly hurt as you are, since the posts you’re making make it seem like you’re fine.
You need to protect yourself and your claim
You need to protect yourself and your claim by staying offline and off your social media accounts. While you might want to make a post that says you survived the incident, it is better if you say nothing at all. Allow your friends and family to reach out to you personally over the phone or to come to visit you in the hospital. Keeping the situation off the internet is the best way to help prevent the other party from claiming that you are not being honest when you seek compensation.