Social media outlets like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram provide an outlet for people to share details about their life, voice opinions, and stay connected with friends and family across the world. There are countless ways that social media can be used in a positive and productive way. However, there are some situations where you should avoid posting information on any of your social media accounts.
If you are involved in a car accident, it may be very tempting to vent your frustrations about the accident or post pictures of your injury on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. While this is a common reaction, this can have a negative impact on your personal injury claim or result in the claim being denied. A car accident lawyer can help you avoid this problem.
The claims process can be stressful and overwhelming, particularly if you suffered a serious injury. The last thing you want to do is put information on social media that your insurance company can use to deny your claim. It is important to understand that insurance companies are in the business of making money so they will look for any reason to either deny your claim or make a much smaller settlement offer.
For example, if you filed a claim after suffering a back injury in a car accident and you post pictures from a 5K that you participated in, your insurance agent can locate your social media profiles and find the pictures. They will argue that your injuries must not be very serious if you were able to run in a race.
While it is recommended that you avoid social media altogether until your claim has been settled, you are strongly urged to avoid making the following posts:
- Apologies: Never apologize or make any statements that can be interpreted as an apology, as these comments can be used against you.
- Rants: Do not take to social media and rant about the accident, the other motorist involved, or how the insurance company is handling your claim. A judge will be less likely to rule in your favor if you come off as vindictive.
- Photos that minimize your injuries: Any photos of you out to dinner, at a sporting event, or doing anything that suggests that your injuries are not serious may have a negative impact on your claim.
- Deleting posts: While you may be tempted to delete a post that could be incriminating, this actually constitutes a destruction of evidence. Your attorney should never recommend that you delete your posts, as this is considered unethical.
What Social Media Tips Should I Keep in Mind After a Car Accident?
The following social media tips are helpful if you have been involved in a car accident:
- Implement the privacy features. Facebook allows you to block people from viewing your profile or anything you post. Other platforms, like Instagram and Twitter, also allow you to make your profile private and unviewable. It is highly recommended that you use these privacy features.
- Do not accept any new followers or friend requests. You never know if an unknown friend request is from an insurance company who is trying to find information that they can use against you in your claim.
- Do not post until the case is settled. Ultimately, the best thing to do is to simply avoid posting on any of your social media accounts until your claim has been settled.
Mount Laurel Car Accident Lawyer at the Law Office of David S. Rochman Helps Those Injured in Accidents Find Justice
If you have been injured in a car accident, do not hesitate to contact our Mount Laurel car accident lawyer at the Law Office of David S. Rochman. We understand how tempting it is to post details about the accident on social media, but this can jeopardize even the strongest cases. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call us at 856-751-2345 or contact us online. Located in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, we proudly serve clients across Burlington County and the surrounding areas.