Social media has become a major part of our lives and many of us post everything from pictures of our vacation and meals to statuses about our thoughts and current events. While this is not an issue in most cases, being active on social media during a personal injury case can be detrimental.
Since insurance companies hire private investigators to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity conducted by those seeking to recover compensation, they will investigate the social media accounts of each claimant to find any inconsistencies which may cast doubt on their injuries.
The following are several cases where your social media activity can be used against you:
- “I’m fine” posts – After being involved in an accident, you may feel inclined to log onto social media to post a quick message to let others know that you’re safe before you receive panicked messages and calls from loved ones and friends. Insurance companies may look at this type of post as evidence that your injuries are not as serious as you have claimed.
- Photos of you enjoying life – If you claim that you are suffering from emotional trauma because of the accident and your injury, avoid posting pictures of you that may disprove your claim. Pictures of you going on vacation or enjoying a night out can make it seem that you are not experiencing any distress.
- Comments from friends – While you may not post about your injuries, you may respond to a friend’s comment asking you how you feel. Even answering your friend’s comments can put your claim in jeopardy.
If you are filing an accident claim, it is wise to avoid going on social media until after your claim has been settled, but if you are unable to stay off, be sure to avoid posting anything that may allow insurance companies to question your claim. Set your privacy to the strictest setting possible and make sure approval is required if someone attempts to comment on your account or tag you in a post. Ask your friends and family to avoid tagging you until the case is over.
If you have been injured by a negligent party in Texas, request a free consultation with our Fort Worth personal injury attorneys at the Law Office of James M. Stanley today.