Social Media and Your Personal Injury Case

We all know that social media plays a significant role in sharing our life experiences, but what happens when your personal injury case is in progress? Can your online presence impact the outcome?

Imagine this scenario: You’ve been in a car accident and got terribly hurt. During your stay at the hospital, you want to keep your friends and distant family members updated on your recovery. So you make a few posts on social media, pictures of the damage to your car and of your own personal injuries, updates on how well you are healing, thanking the doctors for the work they have done, and that final update of being recovered enough to leave the hospital. 

You file a personal injury claim and are working with your attorney to win a settlement to cover the costs of your injuries. While you wait for your payout, you get likes and comments from relatives you haven’t spoken to in years, you reconnect with friends from college, and all seems fine. However, there’s a catch – your posts, photos, and videos are being used against you during these negotiations. Suddenly your settlement amount is dropping because the adjustor on the other side of the phone is referencing a social media post where you said you felt “great” after a treatment. 

Your digital footprint matters. Attorneys and insurance companies representing the other party will likely search for information about you online. Everything from Instagram to Facebook to TikTok could be scrutinized. So, be cautious about what you share. To ensure that your online presence doesn't negatively impact your personal injury case, here are some guidelines to follow:

1. Limit Your Sharing: Refrain from posting any pictures, videos, or audio related to the accident. This includes images of car damage, injuries, or the accident scene. Instead, share updates privately with close friends and family.

2. Avoid Deleting Posts: Once something is on the internet, it's hard to erase. Deleting posts might be misinterpreted as an attempt to hide information. It's best to leave things as they are and refrain from posting further.

3. Be Mindful of Physical Activity: If you're injured, your focus should be on recovery. Avoid sharing photos or videos of strenuous activities that might worsen your condition. Such content could be used against you to limit compensation for future treatments.

4. Secure Your Privacy Settings: Protect your information by adjusting your privacy settings. This applies not only to personal injury cases but also to safeguard your data from unwanted eyes in general.

5. Vet Your Friend Requests: Be cautious when accepting friend requests from individuals you don't know. Investigators from insurance companies might create fake profiles to gather information about you.

In our interconnected world, social media has become a powerful tool for communication. Yet, when you're involved in a personal injury case, it's crucial to be mindful of what you share online. Your posts, photos, and videos could impact negotiations and trial outcomes. Stay safe, stay informed, and remember – what you post online can have real-world consequences.