The reaches of social media continue to grow by the day. Facebook alone has over 1 billion users around the world. Personal information is published for the public to see, and while these sites are great for sharing vacation photos, they are not necessarily the place to discuss your personal injury case.
The fact of the matter is that it’s easy to unwittingly post incriminating evidence on social media profiles. These profiles can be viewed as evidence against your personal injury claim. Insurance companies are well aware of this and will take to social media in order to undermine injuries or prove that compensation is not necessary in your case.
To be safe, it’s advised that anyone pursuing a personal injury case should avoid posting on social media until the claim is settled. Seemingly harmless social media posts can be taken as evidence against your case. For example, posting a photo of yourself playing golf only a few days after making an injury claim may cause insurance companies to argue that your injuries are not as severe.
Some basic information to avoid posting includes:
- Details about the accident, your injuries or your recovery
- Exchanges with your lawyer, whether positive or negative
- Frustrations concerning the court or your insurance company
As a precaution, discourage family members or friends from posting online about you or your situation as well. Their photos or statuses can also be admissible.
Social media evidence laws aren’t necessarily cut and dry, but if the plaintiff has posted photos, statuses or check-ins on public pages/profiles, the evidence will likely be admissible in court. Private messages or closed group chats via social media outlets are much more difficult to access, but the possibility should never be ruled out. It pays to play it safe.
Avoiding social media can be tough, but finding an experienced lawyer shouldn’t be. If you or someone you know has been injured, contact one of the expert personal injury lawyers at Tampa’s Lorenzo & Lorenzo law firm for a free consultation.
