In today’s digital age, social media is an integral part of our daily lives. Social media gives us a platform to share our individual experiences, and stay connected with friends and loved ones from the comfort of your own home. As social media has become integrated into our lives, posting on it becomes second nature. If you have been in a car accident, you might feel the need to post about your experiences on social media, but this can be a legal minefield. If you have a personal injury claim, posting on Instagram or Facebook may complicate your claim as insurance companies are looking for any reason to disprove your injuries. In this article we will be diving into the risks and benefits of posting on social media after an accident, as well as what you should avoid posting during your injury claim.
The Risks and Benefits of Social Media Posts After an Accident
When you have been in an accident you may feel tempted to share your experience but it is important to keep in mind that there are certain pros and cons that can come with sharing your story.
Pros:
Emotional Support: Sharing a post or video about your experiences after a car accident can often garner support from your family and friends. This support can be crucial in your recovery and can often help you feel a sense of love in a stressful period of time.
Awareness: A post can bring awareness to road safety and the consequences of negligent driving. This could discourage the people in your life to be more cautious while they drive, and can promote better and safer driving on our roads.
Cons:
Legal Implications: If you are pursuing a personal injury claim your social media might be looked into by an insurance company. Your posts can be misconstrued and can even be used against you in your case. A photo of you working out or going on a hike may suggest that you are less injured than you claim. Insurance companies make their profits by investing the fees they collect from their customers, and paying out as little as possible to an injured party. An insurance company will search for any reason to pay as little as possible for your claim, including scrutinizing your social media.
Privacy Invasion: Insurance companies and opposing legal counsel may scrutinize your social media for any evidence to dispute your claim. If your case is headed towards litigation the opposing council may see the need to look through your social media for any proof that you may be less injured than you claim.
What Should I Avoid Posting After an Accident?
You should not have to stop using social media just because you have been in an accident; however, as a personal injury law firm we would recommend you stay away from posting the following while your claim is active:
Details About the Accident:
Try your best to avoid sharing any specifics of how your accident happened. Do not share who you believe to be at fault, or any details about your injuries. These statements can be taken out of context and used against you. For example, you may say that you are in no pain the day after the accident, but in a week from then you might start to feel hurt. Sharing these details can lead to an insurance company claiming that you were never injured and that your claim is illegitimate.
Photos or Videos of the Accident:
Spreading images of your injuries, the accident scene, or your vehicles can lead to heavy scrutiny of these images. Insurance companies will put these images under a microscope in hopes of finding anyway to decrease their liability in an accident, or the validity of your injuries.
Information About Your Recovery:
Sharing posts that show you partaking in physical activities, such as working out, playing sports, or going on hikes, can imply that you have had a quicker recovery or lesser injuries than you might have claimed. Try to avoid sharing a post that may show that you are not as injured as you claim to be.
If you were in a car accident it is crucial that you be careful with what you post on your social media in the aftermath. Insurance companies will look for any opportunity to minimize your injuries, and pay as little as possible. Contacting a skilled car accident lawyer can help with this. LifeLaw Personal Injury’s team of the best car accident lawyers in Salt Lake City will fight for your best interests, and make sure that you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries. We at LifeLaw pride ourselves with best in class client communication, making sure that you feel heard and understood through every step of the legal process. If you were injured and it was not your fault, contact LifeLaw Personal Injury today for a free consultation and to discuss your options.