It’s always there, tempting us. Social media posts have become part of our daily routine. However, if you’ve been injured in an accident and have filed, or are considering filing, a legal claim, posting on social media can be detrimental to your personal injury case. Our attorneys at Georgelis, Larsen & Sabatino Injury Law Firm, P.C., P.C. have seen many instances where a social media post backfires on the injured person.
It is important to understand that insurance companies and even some of their attorneys are monitoring your social media posts and pictures. And, they do not have your best interest at heart. If we had it our way, we’d have our clients deactivate their social media accounts, but we know that isn’t always a reasonable request. Therefore, we have some recommendations on what to do and what not to do on social media when involved in a personal injury case, bodily injury claim or workers’ compensation case.
What Not to Do After an Accident
- Never post information about your accident or pictures that may show the injury you suffered isn’t as serious as outlined in your claim. You might be surprised to find that what you thought was an innocent post ends up being used against you in court.
- Never post anything about who was at fault for the accident. Any comment that can be perceived as accepting responsibility can jeopardize your case or diminish the value of your claim.
- Keep a level head. Don’t sound off on social media about the people or insurance companies involved in your case. Any negativity can enhance the insurance company’s case.
- Never accept a friend request from people you don’t know. This should go without saying, but in the case of a personal injury claim, insurance personnel or investigators may create fake online profiles for the sole purpose of spying on you.
Insurance company representatives are always looking for evidence that your pain and suffering are not as severe as you describe—and they love social media! Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat are all forms of social media that leave an injured person open to scrutiny.
Insurance company representatives are not just looking at your feed either. They will take the feeds of your friends and family to find what they are looking for. So, those “not to do’s” are also for everyone else in your life. Make sure you have that conversation with those who may post a picture or information about you. To dig a little deeper, insurance companies are looking for:
- Pictures showing you smiling or engaging in regular activities
- Anything that shows an active social life
- Any locations your geo-data shows you visited
- Information you may have shared about your accident claim
- Any activities you might be participating in that could aggravate your injuries
With all this in mind, here are the things you SHOULD DO to protect your case.
What to Do After an Accident
- Check your privacy settings. Make sure all your social media accounts are set to private so that only your friends can see your posts. Friends of friends or public settings leave you vulnerable.
- Set ground rules with your family and friends. It is very important to have a conversation with your loved ones, telling them not to tag you in posts, photos or videos during your case.
- Think twice before posting. We know it’s tempting, but if you can refrain from posting anything during your case, it decreases the chances of jeopardizing your claim. Always ask yourself before posting something if there’s any chance it can negatively affect your case and the money you could receive.
- Call Georgelis First! If you or someone you care about has been injured in an accident, call 1-800-HURT-NOW.
Car Accident Lawyer in Lancaster, Pa.
In the event you are injured on the road, on the job or on someone else’s property, it’s always important to call an experienced attorney who knows personal injury and workers’ compensation law. Insurance claims can be tricky, and the insurance company is never looking out for you.
At Georgelis, Larsen & Sabatino Injury Law Firm, P.C., we have won more than 99% of our cases and more than $112,000,000 in recoveries for our clients. We can help you, too. Call 1-800-HURT-NOW—we will come to you, answer all of your questions and explain everything to you. There’s never a fee until we get money for you!
