Social Media Usage After An Accident

We’re sure you love sharing your daily adventures with family and friends on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, or the plethora of other social media platforms. However, it might be a better idea to avoid sharing on social media after an accident. Our best injury lawyers in New York & California aren’t just talking about accident-related posts either. Here’s why:

Why You Should Avoid Social Media After An Injury

When you file a personal injury claim, The Barnes Firm’s best personal injury lawyers in New York & California have found that using social media will only hurt your case.

The Guardian reported that insurance companies are getting on social media and using claimants’ posts against them. The number-one goal was to catch insurance fraudsters – people who weren’t really injured but filed injury claims anyhow. The problem is, we all want to show off the best of our lives on social media. People generally only want to share the good times, not the bad.

However, that could be a roadblock when it comes to proving a case. Those posts showing your smiling face could hurt your case, and for many claimants, it has!

If the insurance company finds your social media accounts, they’ll try to use them in the worst way possible in an attempt to persuade the court that you’re not injured. After all, how could this person be visibly happy if they’ve been hurt in an accident?

My Social Media Accounts Are Private – Does It Matter?

What right does the insurance company have to be snooping on my social media accounts? That should be illegal!

Our top lawyers in NY & CA hear this a lot, but sadly, it’s not illegal. In fact, the insurance company may have the right to stalk your social media profiles even more than your ex. Even if your profile is private, the insurers have found ways to bypass that level of protection. In some cases, a judge can order you to share any posts that are relevant to your case. Some of these controversial posts could include:

• Pictures or videos of you doing physical activities
• Jokes or comments on insurance, personal injury, or related topics
• Posts that may contradict your statements in court

Even making posts that are unrelated to your accident or overall health can be twisted, and used against you so that the insurance company can save their company money. It would be a shame if a laughable social media post prevented you from getting the compensation you deserve.

What Can I Do?

Deleting your profile entirely is a drastic measure. Even that could be construed as a suspicious move after an accident, and insurers may try to convince the court that you’re trying to hide something. Even then, nothing is ever truly deleted on the internet. So, what can you do?

Just don’t post anything.
Avoid social media altogether, if you can.

However, we understand that it might tough to do in today’s age of 24/7 digital interactions. That’s why our top attorneys suggest getting in touch with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.

Get Our Best Lawyer For Your Case
When you consult with a personal injury lawyer, it’s their job to protect your rights. That includes helping you decide exactly what posts you can make, and which ones you should probably leave-out after an accident. In addition, they’ll be searching for evidence that will help your case.

While the insurance company is eyeing your social accounts, we’re keeping an eye on those who caused you harm in the first place. We’ll use any and all of the evidence we can find to make sure you’re getting the best result possible.

With over 40 attorneys across the country, our team consists of experienced lawyers with a deep understanding of insurance policies and the laws that protect you. If you have any questions, the California & New York personal injury lawyers at The Barnes Firm are here to help. Call us for a FREE consultation.

The Barnes Firm (800) 800-0000

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Richard Barnes – President and Managing Personal Injury Lawyer in Buffalo, NY

“As President of The Barnes Firm, I have dedicated my career to achieving justice in hundreds of cases for the victims of injuries caused through the fault of others. Additionally, I have been honored to have been elected by my peers to serve as president of the WNY Trial Lawyers Association.”

Years of Experience: 30+ years