Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are popular forums for sharing the details of one’s life with friends, family, and strangers. Consequently, it’s not surprising that social media has become an outlet for frustrations—venting to the public can be a satisfying release. However, some things should never be discussed on a public media forum for the simple reason that anyone could see it.
Car accidents and collision injuries are two such cases where the less said, the better.
How Social Media Can Wreck Your Claim
Handling a car accident claim can be a scary and confusing experience for anyone. However, to protect yourself and secure a strong argument for an injury claim, you must know what to do after a car wreck and you should avoid doing in the aftermath of the collision.
It is important to realize that insurance companies will exploit every opportunity they can find to deny or lessen an injury claim—this includes details that you give them via public forums. Therefore, an essential rule to follow is to refrain from posting evidence that can be used against you. In other words, do not post any details of your accident on any form of social media, because the defense attorney and insurance company will:
- Demand access to your account. A defense attorney has the right to access your public accounts to gather evidence that may pertain to his case.
- Gather evidence. Relevant information can include photos (both of the accident as well as any personal photos of you after the accident), timeline posts, conversations between friends, and location check-ins.
- Use your posts against you. Any information relating to your accident that you have publicly shared can be used to cast doubt on your claim. If you shared a photo of you dancing at a club, the defense could argue that your injuries are obviously not severe. If you posted a Tweet seconds before the collision, the defense might argue that you may have been at-fault for the accident…and so on.
To ensure that you don’t sabotage or jeopardize your injury claim, be sure to keep all details of your accident off public forums. Keep in mind that once you have posted something, it’s unethical for an attorney to advise you to delete it as that would constitute destruction of evidence. Therefore, before uploading anything or discussing any aspect of your accident publicly, make sure you speak to an attorney first. He will advise you on what you can and cannot post.
For more information on pursuing a car accident injury claim, contact our office today at 615-807-7900 or get your our FREE guide for personal injury cases in Tennessee. We are eager to help you build a strong case. Call today to see how we can help.
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