Your Social Media Posts May Be Used As Evidence In Your Case
In every personal injury lawsuit, evidence is key, and in this day and age, it is hard to find someone who does not use some form of social media, whether that is Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, or any of the other popular social media platforms. As such, social media content has become relevant in numerous personal injury cases and can therefore be extremely damaging to a plaintiff’s claim. A recent Pennsylvania trial court decision highlighted this important fact.
One of the easiest ways to protect yourself is by limiting your social media posting. Updating your privacy settings can help limit what people can view, however, this may not be enough. It is imperative to assume that anything you post on social media, even with the strictest privacy settings, is going to be read or viewed by the insurance company.
Here are a few tips to mitigate any harm your social media presence could have on your personal injury lawsuit:
- Do not accept friend requests from people you do not know as they may be connected to an insurance company’s investigation
- Refrain from posting pictures or allowing others to tag you in pictures or statuses that could be mischaracterized or misunderstood
- Do not post facts about the accident or your medical condition and attorney meetings to your social media accounts.
If you have posted something about your accident, injuries, or pictures showing you doing something active, tell your attorney, and do not delete the post to avoid any claims that you may have tampered with evidence.
While it may seem harmless to reach out for the support of your friends on social media after an accident, your posts may be misconstrued and later used against you. That is why it is important to speak with an attorney soon after your accident. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you fight for fair compensation while devaluing any insurance company accusations caused by social media or other sources.