Social media has become so ingrained in everyday life, it seems as though everyone, regardless of age, has an account on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or another social media platform. We use social media to keep in touch with friends and family, find out what is going on with other people, let other people know what is going on with us and connect with the outside world. The use of social media, however, can have other effects as well. For instance, the use of social media can have very real and very serious impacts on your personal injury claim. Be aware of these potential effects as many of them can jeopardize your claim and opportunity at recovering compensation for your injuries.
Social Media May Impact Your Personal Injury Case
There are two main ways using social media can impact your personal injury claim. Through using social media, you may inadvertently call liability into question about who was at-fault in causing an accident or you may inadvertently undermine the extent and nature of your injuries. This can be accomplished in several different ways.
Many people “check-in” on social media. Check-ins let others know your location and/or what activity you are out participating in. Unfortunately, disclosing activities can undermine your injury claim. Insurance companies will use any avenue to undermine or shut down your claim. They are protecting their money and will go to great lengths to do so. If you check in someplace, such as a gym for an exercise class, this information may come up later to act as evidence that you are not injured as you say you are.
Does this sound unfair? Yes, and it absolutely is. Even those who have been injured due to the negligent action or inaction of another have to find a way to move on with their lives. Just because you are injured does not mean you cannot participate in various activities, although participation may be limited. The tough truth is that insurance companies will still use this type of information to paint a picture of you being untruthful about the nature and extent of your injuries.
In addition to check-ins, posting pictures or status updates regarding your day to day life can also call your injury claim into question. This is true for the same reasons as described above. Not only can it call into question the extent of your injuries, but it can also undermine any claim you are making regarding pain and suffering damages. If you are posting about going out with your friends and participating in extracurricular activities, it is not going to look good if you are also claiming your lifestyle was detrimentally impacted by your accident injuries. Friends or family posting on your social media account can also have this same unintended effect on your personal injury claim.
Social media content can also inadvertently call liability into question. For instance, you may use it to post about a car accident with the innocent intent of letting your friends and family know you are alright. You might mention something like you didn’t see the other car coming, you were on the phone when the accident happened, or some other details about the accident that could end up creating questions about your role in causing the accident. Insurance companies will absolutely try to spin your words in this direction.
Pennsylvania Personal Injury Attorneys
If you are seeking compensation for accident injuries through a personal injury claim, the safest bet is to take an extended break from social media. It is far too easy for social media to jeopardize your claim. Should you have any other concerns, the knowledgeable attorneys at Cooper Schall & Levy will answer any of your questions. We are here to protect your best interests and provide you with trusted legal counsel. Contact us today.
