How Social Media Can Impact Your Personal Injury Claim

In today’s society, social media has become an integral part of our everyday lives. In fact, there are 3.96 billion social media users worldwide. While social media has many great benefits, like keeping in touch with distant family or promoting a cause you care about, it is no secret that social media is not all good. Social media can have a pretty dark side, and when not used correctly, your social media use may become an issue in regard to your personal injury claim. 

Dale R. Rose is an experienced personal injury attorney who would advise his clients against posting on social media regarding the details of their injury or the accident that may have caused it. While you may feel passionately in the moment, you should think twice before hitting “post” as whatever you put into the social media world may negatively impact your personal injury claim. 

Why Social Media Is Not Helpful in Regards to Personal Injury

Social media is a tool with a lot of power. In many cases, that power can be used for good, but regarding a personal injury claim, that power is not helpful. Keep in mind that what is posted on social media can never be permanently erased. If you post something that may negatively impact your personal injury claim, it may hurt your chances of recovering compensation for your damages. If something you post calls what you have claimed into question, it may be challenging to turn the situation around. 

Understand that the insurance company for the other driver is constantly seeking information to help them minimize paying you for your damages.  One of the easiest ways for them to do this is for them to see a social media post that contradicts, even in the slightest, your claims of injury.

Your Posts May Contradict What You Have Claimed

If you are claiming that you have a broken arm but then post about a fun night playing a game of baseball with friends, this could put into question the claims you have made regarding the damages you may have suffered. When filing a personal injury claim, it is essential you are completely honest about the injuries you have sustained. An experienced personal injury attorney may be able to help you in building a strong claim. 

Checking In

On various social media platforms like Instagram or Facebook, users can check-in or tag their location. If you have claimed to be severely injured or bedridden but have checked in at a theme park or the mall, that evidence may be used to disprove your claim. 

Comments from Family or Friends

While we can control what we post on our own social media pages, it is difficult to control what our friends or family may comment. You could face some trouble if they comment on something that may allude to the fact that you may be more physically capable than you led on with your injury claim. 

What If I Make My Social Media Page Private?

Making your page private does not guarantee that no one outside of your trusted friends or followers will see what you post. There are always ways that the insurance providers of the at-fault party can see your posts. Whether someone they know shares your post or if they ask a friend of yours to show them the posts voluntarily, they can still get a hold of any contradictory posts. For the sake of your personal injury claim, it is better not to make the post in the first place. 

Texas Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help with Your Claim

Social media can be a wonderful tool to stay connected to the people we love, but your posts can cause problems with your personal injury claim when not used with caution.  If you file a lawsuit, the insurance company can force you to provide them with your social media account information, making all of your posts about your incident or injuries available.  If you have been injured due to another’s negligence, you deserve to be compensated accordingly. Do not risk your chances of getting paid for the damage you have suffered by making a post on social media about your case. 

Dale R. Rose is an experienced personal injury attorney who may provide you with the knowledgeable legal counsel you need to handle your injury claim. Serving injury victims since 1992, Dale Rose is proud to help each of his clients as they build their injury claims and try to get their lives back on track. For a free consultation, contact us here or call (972) 634-7673.