Almost everyone uses social media to share their feelings, thoughts, and experiences with family, friends, and even strangers. Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram are full of pictures, videos, and conversation on topics from cute cat pictures to political views. When someone has a car accident, sharing the news on social media seems natural. However, it is important to understand the impact that using social media can have on your personal injury claim.

Our PBAR legal team urges you to discuss your case with one of our Indianapolis car accident attorneys. We also suggest you keep the following things in mind when posting things online after a car accident.

Social Media is Not Private

Even if you do not post items as “public,” the information you share on social media accounts is public information. When you post something online, friends and family can share it, even if you choose the highest level of security. There are ways to get around security settings. Therefore, insurance adjusters and defense attorneys may see what you post online about your car accident.

Social Media Posts Can Impact Your Injury Claim

Your injury claim includes a demand for compensation for your economic and non-economic damages. Non-economic damages or “pain and suffering” damages include your physical pain, mental anguish, and emotional suffering caused by the accident, your injuries, and your recovery. Insurance adjusters and defense attorneys search for evidence that to minimize your injuries, including combing through your social media accounts. In some case, a judge may grant the defense team access to your social media accounts. Therefore, the information you post online could be used against you to lower the value of your claim or deny your claim completely.

For instance, if you claim that you are unable to work because of chronic pain in your lower back, pictures of you attending a bowling party for your young nephew could be damaging. The defense might argue that if you can bowl, you can work, even if there are no actual pictures of you bowling. For some jury members, attending the party is enough to cast doubt on your claims. Likewise, pictures of you smiling and laughing while enjoying family activities could be used to dispute claims of PTSD, anxiety, depression, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Social Media Use During A Pending Personal Injury Claim

We are not suggesting that you stop all activities, but we do suggest that you do not post pictures or information online. If you have a pending car accident claim, the following tips can help you avoid doing something that could negatively impact your injury claim:

• Stop using your social media accounts immediately after the car accident.
• Notify your attorney of your social media accounts. Discuss whether you need to deactivate the accounts until your case is settled.
• Do not add any new social media accounts.
• Do not accept any new friend requests or allow new people to follow your account.
• If you keep your accounts open, set privacy settings to highest levels.

Contact PBAR to Discuss Your Case with an Indianapolis Car Accident Lawyer

Visit our contact page or call 1-800-265-9881 or (317) 780-8000 to request your free consultation with an Indianapolis car accident lawyer.