The Law Offices of Arnold van Dyk

Why It Is A Good Idea To Stay Off Social Media When Involved In A Personal Injury Claim


July 19, 2016

Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter or Instagram have become an inescapable part of everyday life. There are potentially billions of users worldwide who are now using social media sites either recreationally or professionally. Although your activity on social media may be an important aspect of your life, when you file a personal injury claim, you are trying to show that the defendant has caused you some type of physical, emotional or psychological harm. Insurance adjusters along with defense attorneys investigate all aspects of a personal injury claim with the aim of disproving the merits of that particular claim. The most popular way they do this is by using your social media posts against you by establishing a harmful narrative based on your posts.

For example, in the event of an automobile accident, any post that make on social media is permanently available even if you later delete that particular post. In expending efforts to dispute or deny your claim, the defendant may find avenues to access your private information. The defense attorneys and adjusters act as gatekeepers patrolling for fraudulent claims so it is helpful to assume they will use every trick in the book to accomplish their goal of disproving your claim. Any post that can be construed as an admission of guilt can be used to disprove your claim at trial. Posts saying I feel good or fine after accident or something to that effect can contradict any claims of damages that you may have suffered. It always helps to err on the side of caution and consider taking time off from all social media outlets during the pendency of your personal injury claim. Some helpful tips in this regard are:

Always Exercise Caution In Posting On Social Media

The best advice for someone involved in a personal injury claim is to avoid social media altogether. Assume that every post you make is subject to scrutiny by the opposing party.

Always Have Optimum Privacy Settings On Your Social Media Accounts

The majority of social media sites enable users to modify their audiences on a particular post. It is advisable to limit sharing your profile publicly during your case.

Always Limit Any Shared Content On Your Profile

Content shared by friends, family or social media acquaintances may also have an adverse effect on your personal injury claim. It is advisable to turn off tagging features on such sites so that you may not be mentioned in any shared posts as this increases your visibility on social media.

Always Be Cautious In Who You Add As A Friend

It is advisable to be wary of adding complete strangers or unknown people as friends or followers on your social media accounts. Avoid accepting requests or invites from people you don’t know or trust.

Always Heed The Advice Of Your Personal Injury Attorney

An attorney especially who has crushed the LSAT can best advise you on issues pertaining to your past and future social media activity and the adverse impact it could have on your case.

If you or someone you love has been injured due to the negligence or recklessness of someone else in Idaho, it is advisable to retain the services of an experienced Coeur D’Alene Personal Injury Lawyer to protect your rights and get the fair compensation that you deserve.

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Arnold van Dyk

About the Author

I am passionate about solving people's tax problems. Outside of work I enjoy reading, playing tennis, and traveling.

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