Social Media Use and How It Can Impact Your Personal Injury Claim

According to Pew Research Center, 72% of adults in the United States use social media

and the percentage continues to rise. As many of you know, social media websites are a great avenue where you can share your views, photos, and experiences and are a great

way to stay connected to the people in your life who are both near and far.

However, after being injured it is understandable why some people want to share the details of their injury on social media with family and friends. But, it is best to think twice before doing so. What you share can have a negative impact on your personal injury claim.

Are My Social Media Posts Public Record?

The answer is a definite YES! Anything that you post publicly on the Web, or that others post about you, might be used as evidence against you during a personal injury case. However, private messages cannot be accessed without consent or a warrant. Anything else, however, is fair game.

As the injured party, you will be tasked with providing proof that you are undeniably injured. This will involve a lot of homework including providing medical records, expert or specialist testimony, witnesses, and friends and family who can testify to what you were like before the accident and how the injury has changed your life. Your lawyer will assist you in gathering this evidence. While you are gathering evidence to support your case, the defense team will be collecting evidence against you to deny your claim or injuries. They will try to show that they are not liable or responsible for your injuries.

This is where social media may come into play. With social media, a simple social media post that includes a photo or statement expressing that you are enjoying life will bring into question your claims. No matter how innocent the post, it may make it hard to believe that you are truly suffering or are in pain if there is clear proof of you look happy or are smiling.

Best Way to Handle Social Media During Your Personal Injury Claim Process

Posting anything online after an accident may severally impact your claim. After you have been in an accident, make sure your accounts are set to private. You should temporarily stop all of your social media activity. It is also a good idea to ask friends and family members to not post anything related to you during your claim process and to set their profiles to private as well.

If you have more questions about the impact of social media on your personal injury case, contact Mapp, Mapp, & Klein experienced team of attorneys and legal professionals. We are ready to serve you. Our team is proficient at handling all manners of personal injury law cases. We put you in the best position to receive maximum compensation for your injury.

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation case consultation at (757) 547-5555.

Work Cited:

Pew Research Center

American Bar Association Adweek Huffington Post