After an accident that wasn’t your fault, you may file a personal injury claim to get money for things like medical bills, lost wages, and pain. It’s natural to want to share your feelings, photos, or updates with friends and family, but you need to be very careful.
What you post online, even on private social media accounts like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, can be used against you. Insurance companies and the opposing side’s lawyers may closely monitor your accounts. An innocent photo or a casual comment could seriously undercut or damage your case, making it harder for you to get the compensation you deserve.
Keep reading to learn more about social media usage following a personal injury accident.
What Lawyers Might Look for Online
When you file a personal injury claim, you are saying that another person’s carelessness caused your injury and made your life harder. The lawyers on the other side may look for any sign that you are not as hurt as you claim.
They might search your social media accounts for things that go against what you say about your injuries. Even a private post can sometimes be found and used against you. Think of it this way: Anything you share online could end up being shown to a judge and jury.
How Your Own Words Can Be Misused
It’s not just pictures that can cause problems; your words matter, too.
In a personal injury case, you need to tell a clear, consistent story about how the accident happened and how you are healing. Even a seemingly harmless online comment can be twisted by the other side.
Here are some types of social media posts you might want to avoid making:
- Posts about the accident: If you post about the crash and say something like, “I should have seen that car coming,” the defense could argue that you were partly to blame. In Virginia, if you are found to be even slightly at fault for an accident, you may lose your right to get any money at all.
- Updates on your injuries: Saying something like, “Feeling much better today!” might seem like a positive update for friends, but it can be used to argue that your injuries have mostly healed. This can hurt the value of your case.
- Statements about your case: You should never talk about the details of your legal claim, who you are suing, or any settlement offers online. These things should only be discussed privately with your lawyer.
Also, be careful about the posts your friends and family make. If they tag you in a photo or write something about you, the other side may try to use that information, too. Tell your loved ones to avoid posting anything about you, your accident, or your injuries until your case is over.
Protect Your Personal Injury Claim
The safest advice is simple: stop posting about your personal injury case, the accident, or your injuries on social media right now.
Here are a few tips for social media usage surrounding your claim:
- Go private: Check your privacy settings on every social media account and make them as strict as possible. Only people you know and trust should be able to see your posts.
- Don’t delete or clean up: Do not delete old posts, photos, or accounts after your injury. If you delete things, the other side may claim you were trying to hide evidence, and that can damage your credibility in court.
- Be wary of friend requests: Do not accept new friend requests from people you don’t know. Insurance companies and defense lawyers have been known to use fake accounts to try to gain access to private information.
Many attorneys suggest that you go on a social media blackout—meaning you avoid posting anything at all—until your case is finished. If you feel you must use social media, limit your activity and be extremely careful.
Contact Our Fairfax Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
A personal injury claim is serious. You need to focus on your recovery and protecting your interests in the case. Anything you share online can be found, and it can affect the outcome of your claim.
The best way to be sure you are protecting your rights is to talk with an experienced Fairfax personal injury attorney about the steps you need to take. Call The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm at (571) 200-5424 to schedule a free consultation.
