Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other forms of social media has become so much a part of ourculture that it has become odd to encounter someone who does not live some part of their life online.
However, utilizing these social media platforms after suffering an injury in a car accident, truck accident, motorcycle wreck, etc. carries serious risks to the viability of your claim. It is important to understand that your posts and photographs can be introduced as evidence in court.
When I was working as an insurance defense attorney, I often tried to check out the plaintiffs in cases that I was handling to try and get an edge and discover any incriminating statements or images. I would Google them and then read through their Facebook, Instagram and other posts. Those delivered a wealth of very personal information.
Just think about it. People put their relationship status on the sites. If I am a divorce attorney and my client’s spouse is claiming to be single but she has
“In a relationship” on her site, then I am certainly going to look into that.
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By the same token, a personal injury defense lawyer will learn all about a plaintiff in order to verify claims that she cannot walk as a result of injuriessuffered due to the negligent of the defense lawyer’s client, The lawyer is going to love finding a YouTube video of the plaintiff dancing the night away or playing volleyball. The fact that the videos are dated will come in particularly handy.
My message to victims is that.if you have been injured in an accident, you must be very careful about how you portray yourself on your social media accounts. Certainly, your case is not the only aspect of your life; you are entitled to continue enjoying other aspects. But problems arise when you put yourself out there in a certain light and everyone, including defense attorneys and insurance claims adjusters, can see that.
Of course, we all know that Facebook et al. are like any other site profile created by the individual. The information may not be accurate or current. Take the time to consider how you would interpret the information on your profile if you were a defense lawyer looking for ways to weaken your case. Don’t make their jobs any easier for them. Make them work hard to try and diminish your claim.
Trust me, they have plenty of tricks up their sleeve. You don’t need to give them any more.