Social media has drastically changed the way we communicate and interact with one another. It is now possible to talk to anyone in the world with the touch of a button, allowing communities to flourish online. However, there are undoubtedly downsides to social media such as privacy concerns and impacted social skills. Additionally, if you are involved in an accident, the posts you make online can be held against you by the defense in an attempt to reduce or even prevent a personal injury recovery. The following blog explores what you should know about social media and personal injury cases and the importance of working with our Irvine personal injury lawyers to help you improve your chances of a favorable outcome for your injury case.
As the victim of an accident, the insurance company for the negligent party will do everything in its power to reduce the value of your claim, including researching your social media profiles. As such, if you post photos or videos of yourself participating in activities or attending events following the accident, the insurance company can use this to show that the injuries you sustained are not as severe as you claim. Additionally, they may argue that the injuries have not prevented you from living a normal life, thus reducing the value of your emotional damages as well.
In fact, this is so common that a woman once lost a six-figure insurance claim after she posted a photo of herself participating in a tree-throwing competition. This was enough proof that the severity of the injuries she suffered was exaggerated.
Many assume that making their accounts private can help prevent posts and comments from being held against them. However, even with these settings enabled, insurance companies can find ways to circumvent these protections to gain access to your accounts. For example, if you make your account private, your friends and family members may not do the same. As such, any photos or videos of you on these accounts can be accessed and used by the insurance company to reduce the value of your claim. Similarly, the insurance company can obtain a court order requiring you to provide access to your accounts if they believe there is important evidence.
In the event you are involved in an injury, taking the necessary steps to protect yourself and your claim is critical. One of the most important things you can do is refrain from posting anything on social media until your case is closed.
Similarly, you should instruct your friends and family not to mention anything about your case on their profiles or post photos of you. For example, if a friend takes a photo of you at a concert and tags your profile in the post, the insurance company can use it against you to reduce the value of your claim, even if you did not publish the post yourself.
After an injury, one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself is to connect with an experienced personal injury attorney. At California Personal Injury Law Firm, APC, our team understands that navigating the aftermath of an injury can be difficult. That is why we are here to assist you through these matters so you have the best possible chance to recover the compensation you deserve. When you need assistance, do not hesitate to contact us today.
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