How Social Media Can Kill Your Auto Accident Claim

If you've been involved in a car accident, you may be eligible to receive financial compensation in the form of a personal injury claim. While there are many things to consider when bringing forward an auto accident claim, one of the most critical points in recent years has become the use of social media. Not surprisingly, social media can have a profound impact on your auto accident case and can compromise your ability to obtain the restitution you deserve for your injuries. Here's what you need to know about social media and car accident claims. 

Social Media Can Be Used Against You

Social media is everywhere these days, and it is continuing to grow exponentially. It's not surprising that insurance companies and the opposing attorney will attempt to use your own social media accounts against you after a car accident. Even if your social media accounts are set to private, it's not unheard of for insurance companies to pose as someone else in an attempt to "friend" you and gain access to your posts. Know going into your auto accident claim that your social media accounts can potentially become the other side's weapon if you aren't careful. Consider shutting down your social media accounts until your case is over, or simply becoming inactive on them until your case receives a final verdict. Although this sounds harsh, it's the best way to know for certain that your social media accounts won't be combed through for evidence against you.

Don't Put Up Photos of the Crash 

While posting photos of the crash is sure to gain a lot of comments and "likes" on your social media pages, doing so can actually hinder your case. For example, putting up photos of the crash that raise the question of you being at fault can be detrimental to your claim, as is captioning your photos with comments that suggest you were negligent at the time of driving. Keep the photos of the accident in a file folder in a safe place, and use them expressly for the purposes of your auto accident claim. 

Be Careful What You Post, Period 

Even posts that aren't about the crash can be used against you. For example, if you post photos of your beach trip last year, they could be construed as being posted now. The other side's attorney may claim that you aren't really injured because you're able to go to the beach, and you may not be able to prove that the photos were dated for the previous year. This is just one example of the many different ways that your social media posts can be twisted in an attempt to weaken your case. Even about going to the grocery store, or about how you're feeling better after your accident can all come back to haunt you later. Avoid posting as much as possible until your case is over, and if you do post, be very mindful about how what you're putting up on your social media can be construed. 

Contacting a Skilled Auto Accident Attorney 

Navigating through the various aspects of a vehicle accident claim can be quite difficult. By contacting a skilled auto accident attorney, you can start forming the strongest foundation possible for your case. Your attorney can provide you with more information about social media and how it can be used against you, and can help you discover alternatives that won't compromise your claim. When you have a seasoned car accident lawyer from a firm like Schiller, Kessler & Gomez, PLC by your side, you can face your auto accident claim with confidence, knowing that you have the best chance possible of obtaining a result in your favor. 


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