Does your social media have anything to do with your personal injury claim? You might be surprised to learn that it can. In a world where everyone is connected online, what you post on social media can be the deciding factor between receiving fair compensation for your injuries or losing your case entirely.
Below, this personal injury lawyer in Mulberry, Florida is going to explain how your social media activity can hurt your chances of winning your claim.
Sharing too much on social media can hurt your personal injury claim.
Social media feels like a safe and private space where you can share photos, stories, and life updates with your friends and family. But if you are in the middle of a personal injury claim, social media is far from safe. Insurance companies and lawyers working for the other side will carefully go through your online activity, looking for anything that can discredit your claim.
Say you post a picture of yourself smiling and socializing with friends while recovering from a car accident. To you, it is a beautiful memory. But to the insurance company, it is evidence that your injuries are not as serious as you said they were. That single innocent selfie could cost you thousands of dollars in compensation.
You could also accidentally say or do something online that goes against your story. For example, if you have told your doctor that your injuries make it impossible for you to lift heavy objects, but there is a video of you helping a friend carry a heavy couch, your credibility goes out the window. And once people think you are not being honest, it becomes much harder for anyone to take your claim seriously.
Learn how to use social media cautiously.
You don’t have to delete your social media accounts, but you do need to be very careful about how you use them. Everything you say, post, or share is basically evidence that could be shown in court. In other words, social media is not the place to complain about your case, share pictures from your weekends, or answer questions about your injuries.
1- Check your privacy settings first and make sure your posts are only visible to people you trust. While this is not going to completely secure your account, it can at least limit how easily strangers or insurance investigators can access your posts. But remember that even private accounts are not completely safe, as a friend could share something you posted, and lawyers can subpoena your social media records if they suspect you are hiding something.
2- Resist the urge to delete posts you think could hurt your case. Deleting posts from your social media is considered “spoliation of electronic evidence” and can get you into serious legal trouble, including sanctions under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP), particularly Rule 37(e). If you are worried about any old posts, it’s best to consult with your personal injury lawyer in Mulberry, Florida before making any changes.
3- Avoid trying to explain yourself or hint at anything about your case online. For example, don’t make vague posts about how you feel about the insurance company or argue with people in the comments.
The less you share online, the safer your injury claim will be.
It is normal to want to post your updates, photos, or thoughts on social media. But when your financial future is at risk, you need to think about every post and comment as if it is being read aloud in court. Would it make you look like someone who genuinely deserves compensation, or would it make it look like you are exaggerating your situation?
What you post on social media can also affect how the other side negotiates with you. If your posts make it look like you are happy, healthy, and living life as usual, don’t be surprised if the settlement offer is less than generous because the insurance company did not take your injuries seriously.
On the other hand, if your posts document how difficult your recovery has been, it could help your case. For example, you could share updates about how hard it is to walk or how much therapy you need to recover. But even with these types of posts, you should always talk to your personal injury lawyer in Mulberry, Florida before posting anything about your case on social media.
Looking for a Personal Injury Lawyer in Mulberry, Florida?
Have you been injured due to someone else’s negligence and are looking to file a personal injury claim? Are you ready to partner with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Mulberry, Florida who can guide you through the process? If so, look no further than Tonya Stewart and her legal team at Tonya Stewart Law PA. Contact us today at (863) 279-4473 to schedule a free consultation.