How Social Media Can Impact Your Personal Injury Case

Social media and your Personal Injury Case: What Attorneys Want You to Know

Social media has become one of the most popular means of interaction today.  This includes Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn to name a few. Posting anything on social media after an accident may be harmful to your claim even if it is not related to your injury or accident at all. If you have been in an accident, it is probably a good idea to suspend posting on all your social media accounts for some time.

When an individual is injured in an accident, such as a dog bite, slip and fall or car accident, a personal injury claim can be pursued to recover damages sustained in the accident. The claim for compensation typically has two parts: economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages include money to compensate for medical bills and lost wages. Noneconomic damages consist of compensation for pain and suffering because of the accident and injury. The at fault party will typically try to defend these losses and seek evidence that suggests the damages are not as severe as the claimant says they are. This is usually difficult to prove.  One of the best sources of evidence is your social media accounts.

Investigators will seek as much information as they can to try and deny your claim.  This can include anything from everyday posts, pictures and even how many friends you have on your accounts. They can use this information and make it look negative towards your claim even if it is not.

Posting about an accident on social media could potentially impact your insurance claims. Insurance companies might use your posts to dispute your claims or question the extent of your injuries.

Overall, it is generally best to refrain from posting about accidents on social media until you have had time to process the situation, consult with legal or insurance professionals if necessary and ensure that any posts you do make are carefully considered and do not compromise your well-being or legal standing.

If you or someone you know have been injured in an accident, contact the personal injury attorneys at Berger and Green for a free no obligation consultation. Call 412-661-1400 to speak with an attorney today.