What to Know About Social Media When Filing a Personal Injury Claim
Posting online is just part of the daily routine for many people. Posting a quick update, a family photo, or a check-in may not feel as though it will have a direct impact on your personal injury claim. After filing a claim, though, defense lawyers and insurance companies will keep a careful eye on your social media posts.
The things you share online, the people you tag, and even the tone of your posts may be used against you later to challenge your credibility, the severity of your injury, or emotional distress claims. Below, our Tampa personal injury attorney explains what you need to know about social media after an accident.
Why is Social Media Important in Personal Injury Claims?
Personal injury cases typically depend on the extent to which the injuries have impacted your life. If your case involves emotional distress, physical pain, limitations, missed activities, or a reduced ability to work, the other side will search for anything that seems to contradict your claims. Insurance companies often scroll through an injured individual’s social media profiles because people tend to post casually, selectively, and without thinking about how that content might affect a legal dispute.
There are specific types of posts that are particularly concerning when filing a personal injury claim. These include comments suggesting you are ‘doing okay,’ photos showing physical activity, vacation content, and even happy family photos. These posts will not necessarily destroy a case entirely. However, they can all be taken out of context and to help the defense.
Why You Cannot Rely on Privacy Settings
Many people think that using all of a platform’s privacy settings is enough. Unfortunately, it is not. Posts can still be captured in screenshots, seen by others, shared by people you have given access to, or become discoverable if your case enters litigation. While privacy settings are preferred over making everything public, they are not a substitute for ensuring the other side cannot use your posts against you at all.
Refrain from Deleting Old Posts
Many people want to delete old posts because they believe they will hurt their case. However, this can create other issues, as it may seem as though you are destroying evidence. It is better to tighten your privacy settings and to stop posting altogether, particularly about the accident or your injuries and recovery. Before making any major changes to any social media accounts, always speak to an attorney who can provide the advice you need.
Our Personal Injury Lawyer in Tampa Can Protect Your Case
At Moore Law, our Tampa personal injury lawyer can help after any type of accident that resulted in serious injury. We can provide the legal advice you need on all aspects of your case and build the strongest case possible so you can move forward with confidence. Call us today at 813-510-5400 or chat with us online to schedule a consultation with our experienced attorney and to learn more about how we can help with your case.
