How Social Media Can Ruin Your Personal Injury Case

Social media can be an invaluable tool. It keeps us connected with friends and loved ones, with our community, and communities across the world. Social media allows us to forge connections with those who share similar interests, no matter where they live. If, however, you are involved in a personal injury case, social media can seriously, negatively affect your case. Here’s how.

Social media is just that . . .

It’s social, which means it is usually public unless you have stringent privacy settings in place, which many do not. Even if you are careful about your privacy, your online activity will still leave a digital footprint that’s vulnerable to forensic analysis. Never assume that the information you put out into the world will remain private.

Calling your claim into question

Let’s say you’ve been in an auto accident that resulted in whiplash. Photos posted to your Facebook account of you waterskiing the next day or a “check in” at a local gym could call your claim into question. To take it even further, let’s say you post a picture of your kids waterskiing the next day. Whether or not you were with them, the defense might try to argue that you took the photo and if that’s the case, it places you on a boat the day after your accident.

Should you take a social media time out?

You truly can’t predict what the defense might try and use against you so the quickest and safest answer is yes. It may be hard, but you don’t want to provide the other side with any ammunition. For the duration of your personal injury case, taking a break from social media is your best bet.

If you do decide to remain active on social media, a good rule of thumb is not to post anything at all regarding your case—not just things that could raise doubts, but details or photos of your injury, the identity of the defendant, or the amount of money you may be asking for. In fact, talking about your potential compensation could make you seem disingenuous.

Don’t forget . . .

Comments made by friends and family could also pose a risk to your case. They could unintentionally oppose your claim or statements. While you can’t control what others post on social media, urge close family and friends to ask you before tagging or mentioning you.

If you have a personal injury claim, contact the attorneys at LaSalvia Law. We will fight to win you the compensation you deserve.