Hit Pause on Posting
With the rise of social media platforms, our lives have become more interconnected than ever before. While this connectivity has its advantages, it can also have unintended consequences, especially when it comes to personal injury cases. In this post, we will explore the role social media can play in a personal injury case and provide you with practical tips to protect your rights and maximize your compensation.
Three Potential Pitfalls of Posting Online
Posting about your accident or personal injury case on social media may seem harmless, but it can significantly impact your claim.
Here are some potential pitfalls:
- Undermining your claim: Insurance companies and defense attorneys may comb through your social media posts to find any contradictory information that can undermine your claims about the severity of your injuries or events leading to the accident.
- Minimizing Your Injuries: Posting photos or updates showing you participating in activities can lead insurers to believe your injuries are not as serious as you claim, potentially reducing your compensation.
- Timeline Inconsistencies: Posting about the accident or your recovery process can create timeline inconsistencies, which attorneys could exploit in court.
Privacy Settings Are Not Foolproof
Even if you've enabled the strictest privacy settings on your social media accounts, this does not guarantee absolute privacy. Despite the perception of a secure, private space, your posts and updates can still be accessed by others, especially those connected to you as friends or followers.
Insurance companies and defense attorneys may leverage these connections to access your content, regardless of your privacy settings. Remember, online platforms are inherently public domains, and any information shared, no matter how restrictive the settings, is potentially accessible.
Remember, even seemingly private posts can be retrieved and used against you in your personal injury case, potentially undermining your claims and affecting your compensation.
Leveraging Social Media to Your Advantage in a Personal Injury Case
While social media can pose significant risks to your claim, there are ways it can also be used positively in your personal injury case. In fact, it can serve as a powerful tool for evidence preservation and supporting your claim.
- Preserving Evidence: Social media can be valuable for gathering evidence about the accident. For example, other people may have posted images or videos related to the accident on their profiles, which could help in proving fault or severity of the incident. Ensure to save or take screenshots of these posts, as they can be deleted or modified over time. Note, however, that this should only be done without breaching the social media platform's privacy laws or terms.
- Supporting Your Case: Posts on social media can also support your claims regarding the impact of the accident on your life. For instance, if you used to post about your active lifestyle, but these activities have ceased post-accident, this can illustrate the lifestyle change you’ve endured due to the injuries. Similarly, posts about your medical appointments, physical therapy, or emotional struggles can shed light on the severity and extent of your injuries.
Remember, while these strategies can be beneficial to your case, it’s crucial to talk with your attorney before posting anything related to your accident or injuries. They can provide guidance on what content may be beneficial or detrimental to your case.
A good rule of thumb is to never post about your case online and instead allow your attorney to guide you when it comes to evidence collection on social media.
Contact Experienced Legal Representation
In the face of doubt and uncertainty, reaching out to experienced legal representation, like our team at Foley Griffin, is advisable. Having an experienced attorney by your side can provide invaluable advice.
We encourage you to speak with your attorney before doing any of the following:
- Posting about your accident: Discussions regarding the accident or the circumstances surrounding it should first be reviewed with your attorney before posting online. Information that seems irrelevant or harmless could significantly impact your case.
- Posting about your injuries: While sharing your health progress with your social circle may seem natural, certain details could be used against you. Consult with your attorney before posting updates about your injury.
- Posting about your legal case: Details regarding your case, the legal process, or any aspect of the ongoing litigation should not be shared until you have your attorney's approval.
- Deleting content from your social media: Just as posting can impact your case, so can deleting any existing content. Before making any changes to your social media history, obtain advice from your lawyer.
If you were injured in an accident or due to another party's negligence, Foley Griffin is here to help. We are ready to guide you through all aspects of your personal injury case, including how to approach your use of social media during this time.