Most of us now have, at the very least, one social media platform downloaded to our phones and computers. For millions of people, an active social media presence is even how they make a living. We post everything, from our thoughts to our feelings to vacation pictures to the meals we are eating and whatever pops in our heads, it gets translated into a social media post!
However, there is one issue you should always keep to yourself- a personal injury. If you are involved in an accident and are suing for monetary compensation, insurance companies can and will watch your social media activities.
Here are the five reasons why you should never post your injury on social media.
1. Pictures can be Evidence
If you’ve suffered an injury at work and are then spotted in a picture on Facebook at a party, looking like you are having a great time, these pictures can be used against you later. The insurance company will use them to try and prove that you are not as injured as you are in a court of law. Remember, pain and suffering are often a very large part of compensation, so your settlement or reward can be significantly reduced if it looks like you are not as injured as you have previously claimed to be.
2. Posts can be Taken the Wrong Way
It’s normal to jump onto your social media to make a quick announcement saying “I’m ok!” right after you have been in an accident. You may be trying to avoid receiving a slew of panicked messages from your family and friends, but the insurance company won’t see it that way. This type of post can be used as evidence that the injuries you have aren’t as bad as you claim. It’s best to say nothing at all on social media when you’ve been injured.
3. Social Media Posts Last Forever
As soon as you hit that “post” button on your platform, consider your post to be online forever. A post or picture you make at a party or on vacation, after you have been injured, can be viewed online by anyone. It will then be used against you to prove your injuries aren’t that bad. Additionally, the authorities can hire an expert to recover deleted posts. According to Diamond Injury Law, it’s better to simply not post anything that could harm your case.
4. Your Attorney-Client Privilege could be Violated
After you seek an attorney for your injury, you will have a lot to talk about together. It’s often very tempting to post your story online for friends and family, especially when you are inundated with questions and concerns. Unfortunately, doing so could violate the attorney-client privilege you have with your lawyer. This is a rule that keeps your conversations private and confidential between you and your lawyer. Keep your conversations off of social media to avoid problems in the future.
5. Comments from Friends and Family may Cause Problems
If you post on social media about your injuries, incoming comments could cause problems for your potential personal injury claim. Friends and family, even well-meaning ones, may joke about your injuries or claim they aren’t that bad. They may even mention seeing you do something you weren’t supposed to be doing, such as working. Even if you were given the green light from a doctor to perform light duties at your job, the insurance company won’t see it that way. It’s better to stay quiet now if you wish to win a legal case for your injuries.
