Social media has drastically changed the way we interact with other people. Whether we use to keep in touch with friends and family, stay updated on current events, or for business networking purposes, social media has a variety of advantages.
However, it also has disadvantages. Sometimes oversharing on all social media platforms - such as Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat - and revealing too much information about yourself can have significant consequences on your personal and professional life.
In regards to personal injury claims, what you choose to share on social media can severely affect the compensation you are seeking for your injuries and losses.
How Can Social Media Harm My Personal Injury Claim
According to several studies, around two-thirds of all adults in the U.S. use social media sites. Over the past decade, what started off as a platform exclusively used by pre-teens and college students expanded its appeal to include middle-aged adults and the elderly. Virtually everyone uses it to share almost every part of their lives.
Nevertheless, what you share or do not can have an impact on your personal life, especially if you are involved in a personal injury case. Your activity can be used against you to dispute your claim.
Insurance providers typically search the internet, including your social media history, in order to investigate a claim. Social media is often used not only to dispute the seriousness of your injury, but the date, time, and locations in which posts were made can be used to discredit your version of the events which transpired. When it comes to the courtroom, online photos and posts can be used as evidence.
What Can I Do to Protect Myself on Social Media During My Personal Injury Case?
If you were recently injured in an accident caused by the negligence of another party, it is imperative to exercise caution when posting information about yourself and your activities online. However, do not try to delete your social media profiles altogether since it will only look more suspicious.
The following are effective ways to protect yourself and your privacy:
- Be careful when writing comments or posting photos or video
- Do not post anything related to your accident or any specific details about your case
- Change your social media settings from “public” to “private”
- Avoid disclosing financial details about your claim
- Do not contact the other party involved
- Do not allow yourself to be tagged in photos, videos, or comments posted by others
- Block apps which automatically share your info
- Know that once something is posted, it can stay online permanently, even if you delete it or not
If you are interested in filing a personal injury claim in Kentucky, contact our Louisville personal injury lawyer at Brett H. Oppenheimer and schedule your free consultation today.