It can be tempting after a car crash to share your story on social media with friends and family. This can be a big mistake. Insurance companies and lawyers may stalk your profile to find photos or posts that contradict your story. Your case is over even before it starts if you accidentally provide information that gives the impression you are lying.
Posting Images and Tweeting
Avoid posting any photos if you’ve been hurt in a car crash. After an accident, sharing a picture in which you look happy and healthy is one of the worst mistakes you can make. Insurance companies and legal representatives can use photos to prove that you are not injured as badly as you claim. Even posting an old photo with a detailed description can cause damage. Social media timelines are not well understood by many professionals in the legal system. It is assumed that if you have posted the photo recently, the picture has been taken recently.
After a major life event, many people tweet. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, resist the urge to post a tweet. Many people tweet that they don’t think anyone should worry or that there were no injuries. This may be done as a way to let your family and friends know you are alive, but a screenshot can be used in court. Tweets could be used by a lawyer to prove that you were not injured in your accident.
Private Does Not Mean Invisible
Even if your profile is set to private, it’s possible for others to view your posts. Imagine that, for instance, you create a post that is only visible to a few people. When a family member or friend comments on or shares your post, it is posted in their news feed. It will then be visible to the entire group of friends. Even if your Facebook profile is set to private mode, any information that you post can be accessed by anyone who searches for it. Remember this when posting photos or comments about your car accident.
Facebook Posts, Ranting, and Other Social Media
It can be tempting to update your blog following an accident. It is possible that those fighting against you will find your blog posts, even if they are meant to be educational. It is possible that the lawyers handling your case will see a post you wrote in which you try to expose a particular judge or injustices of the legal system. You will lose your chance of receiving compensation for your injuries if you do this.
Facebook friends do not have to be updated daily on your health condition or receive unneeded updates about your accident. Lawyers, insurance companies, and judges will often use detailed posts on Facebook to undermine your story. Social media posts that do not accurately reflect what you said in court will likely not result in you receiving the compensation you deserve.
This post was written by Kelly-Ann Jenkins of Jenkins Law P.L. Kelly-Ann is a St Pete car accident attorney. She focuses on personal injury, car accidents, and bicyclist injuries. The information on this site is not intended to and does not offer legal advice, legal recommendations, or legal representation on any matter. Hiring an attorney is an important decision, which should not be based on advertising. You need to consult an attorney for legal advice regarding your situation.
The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. This website contains links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser; the ABA and its members do not recommend or endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
