Did you know that 69% of adults in the U.S. use some form of social media? In today’s digitally-based era, it’s become a commonhold to post consistently online.
Many people use social media as a means to communicate, express themselves, and share their thoughts and feelings. When someone is injured in an accident and is out of work, it’s natural to want to post about their experiences online so others know what they are going through.
However, there are some things that can actually hurt your chances of receiving compensation for your injuries – and that includes the use of social media. Here’s why you may want to think twice before hitting the “post” button.
Conflicting Evidence
The things you post on social media, be it pictures, status updates, or check-ins, can show conflicting evidence against your own personal injury claim. For example, you may have been seriously injured in a car accident, but weeks later, you post photos of you at the beach with your friends and no cast on. This could reflect poorly on you and actually show that you are not as seriously injured as you claim to be.
Character Judgements
As seemingly innocent as you may believe them to be, the things you post on social media can depict an image that you are solely pursuing a personal injury claim for financial reasons, not in a needed effort to heal.
You may be pursuing compensation for emotional injuries or depression after an accident. However, your social media may be full of new photos of you enjoying events, seemingly happy with friends and family members. This may make the judge or jury that is determining the outcome of your case, doubt the severity of your injuries and your motives for seeking compensation in the first place.
Social Media Is Public Record
Many people are under the impression that their social media accounts cannot be used as evidence against them. However, with the exception of direct messages, your social media posts are public records and can be used as evidence in court.
You have your account set to private and know all your online friends, so you’re good, right? Well, not exactly. Social media is not as private as you may think, and it’s fairly easy for investigators on the other side to find the evidence they need to try to disprove your side of the story.
What to Avoid Posting
Remember that it’s better to be safe, than to be sorry later on. If you are not able to completely eliminate your use of social media, it’s recommended that you avoid posting:
- Check-ins
- Status updates of your injuries
- Photos of you doing activities
- Photos of you drinking alcohol
- Anything related to your personal injury case
We understand that you may want to share your experiences with your friends and family members online. However, we also want to provide you with the information necessary to ensure that you receive the fair compensation you need to heal after your accident, which means building a solid case and gathering evidence in your favor. If you have any other questions regarding your personal injury case, our firm is here to answer them.
Contact Johnson, Vorhees & Martucciat (833) 600-0125 to schedule a no-fee, no-obligation consultation with our firm.
