Social media use is so prevalent today that it is easy to forget the risk it presents – especially if you have been injured in an accident. Even a seemingly innocent picture or post may have a disastrous impact on your personal injury claim. Read on to learn more about the dangers of social media after a car accident and how to avoid them.
Using Social Media After a Car Accident: The Risk
It’s important to remember that the insurance company is not on your side. To build their case, the at-fault party’s insurance adjuster will likely scour social media to prove that you are not as injured as your claim. A photo of a fun event you attended, a check-in at a workout class, or a review of a new local activity can all be used against you. This evidence could weaken your personal injury case and may decrease the compensation you receive. Put simply, posting on social media is not worth the risk.
What Not To Do
Here at Turnbull, Moak & Pendergrass, PC, our trial lawyers recommend staying off social media altogether. But if you choose to use the platform, there are several key things to avoid.
- Do NOT post pictures or details about your accident or injuries.
- Do NOT provide updates about your recovery.
- Do NOT share old photos lacking a date stamp.
- Do NOT mention anything that occurred before your accident that could show that you were in an impaired mental state. (Example: an argument with your spouse, attendance at a holiday party, etc.)
- Do NOT forget that even private posts can be viewed by people you don’t know if they are shared or commented on by friends.
Protect Yourself
If you use social media after a car accident, taking these simple steps can help accident victims stay safe online:
- Wait to post anything until your personal injury claim is settled.
- Find a different outlet if you need to vent about your accident.
- Reject any friend requests from people you do not know well.
- Set your profile to the highest privacy setting available.
- Remove tags from friends’ photos.
- Use Facebook’s Privacy Checkup to see who viewed your profile
