Social Media and Personal Injury: How an Online Presence Can Affect Your Insurance Claim
Social media has become a pervasive aspect of life over the last two decades. Sites like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok have transformed the way we communicate and connect with others. Social media can help us combat loneliness, plug into communities with shared interests, and reconnect with friends from our past.
However, social media also has its downsides. In the context of a personal injury case, the way you use social media could negatively impact your ability to secure compensation if you aren’t careful. Understanding the role social media plays in personal injury cases can help you know how to limit your risks.
Protect Your Personal Injury Claim With a Mindful Online Presence
Being hurt in an accident can leave you in severe physical pain and financial distress. Moreover, life after an accident can also be incredibly lonely. Your injuries may limit your ability to work or participate in social activities. As a result, many injured individuals turn to their connections on social media for support while they recover.
While no rule prevents using social media while a personal injury claim is pending, you should exercise extreme caution to protect yourself. Insurance companies and attorneys for the at-fault party will use anything they can to undermine your claim – including anything you post online. For example, if you share a video of yourself dancing on TikTok, the insurer may use it to argue that your injuries are less severe than you claim.
Even less obvious posts can have unintended consequences. If someone asks how you are feeling on your Facebook page and you say you’re OK, an insurance adjuster could use this statement as evidence you exaggerated the extent of your injuries.
It is ideal to stay off social media while your case is active. At a minimum, you should avoid mentioning anything about the incident or your injuries. Before you post, comment, or reply to anything online, ask yourself if it is necessary or wise. If so, do not post.
While enjoying other people’s social media feeds is acceptable, keep your communication about the case limited to your personal injury attorney. It’s best to be guarded because your friends and family could be called to testify under oath about your comments, online or in person.
How Our Lawyers Can Be Your Digital Age Allies
The Bamberg personal injury attorneys at Wilson Law Group, LLC, understand the central role social media plays in many clients’ lives. Our firm’s top priority is your well-being, and we are prepared to fight aggressively to protect your rights and interests. In addition to investigating the accident, identifying all at-fault parties, and securing the maximum compensation for your injuries, we can advise you on the most effective way of using social media without inadvertently harming your case.
Contact us today for a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Bamberg, SC.