Social media has quickly become the new standard. It is far more common for adults to regularly use social media than it is for them to refrain from social media use. It is important to remember that anything you post on social media can be used against you in court. It is vital to take the steps necessary to prevent your social media accounts from impacting the outcome of your case. These cases may result in multiple scenarios, such as car accidents, slips and falls, and many other scenarios. Personal injury cases can be rather complex, which is why it is important to obtain the appropriate guidance throughout this time. If you plan to undertake a personal injury case, you should consult with a legal professional to ensure the best possible outcome for your case.
How Social Media Impacts a Personal Injury Case
Social media is more likely to have a negative effect on your personal injury case than a positive one. Ultimately, either the insurance company or defense will do their best to find evidence to contradict your testimony in order to minimize their own expenses. One of the most common things they do is comb through your social media accounts. For example, posting a picture from a hike or the gym can allow them to argue that your injuries are less severe than you claim. A picture of you at a party or bar may provide an argument against any mental anguish sustained from the personal injury.
Social media posts may impact how serious the injury occurs. Your posts may also contradict the picture that your attorney intends to convey during the case. Anything that you post on your social media account can be used as evidence in a court proceeding. It is important to prevent the damage that these cases can do. Social media can have a significant impact on both physical injury claims, as well as mental anguish claims.
Steps you Can Take to Protect Yourself
It is important to protect yourself from the impact that social media can have on your personal injury case. Avoid posting anything on your social media accounts for the entire duration of the personal injury case. Ask your loved ones to refrain from posting anything about you, as well. This includes posting any pictures of you, especially if they involve any physical activities or celebrations. Adjust the privacy settings on your social media account and make sure all of your accounts are private. Don’t accept any new friend or follow requests during your personal injury case. Keep in mind that privacy settings won’t necessarily protect you from unwanted individuals viewing your posts. In addition, deleting a post after it has been posted will not guarantee that it won’t be accessible to the defense.
Though you should refrain from posting on social media, you shouldn’t completely delete your accounts during your personal injury case. This may cause you to look guilty and like you are trying to destroy evidence. Social media makes it very easy to react emotionally, so it is important to refrain from posting angry comments about the defendant. Don’t check-in anywhere, especially in bars or at the gym. Refrain from responding to any comments about the incident on social media.
Social Media Sites you Should Avoid
Social media makes it incredibly easy to share your thoughts as they arise. It also provides a platform that allows you to share your experiences and activities with your friends and family. However, some social media platforms are more important to avoid during a personal injury case than others. Understanding which social media platforms to avoid will help you to protect your personal injury case from the negative impact of social media and aid in the most positive outcome possible for your case.
It is important to avoid getting on Facebook during your personal injury case. Facebook is easily the most popular social media site. This means it is likely to be the first place that investigators or defense attorneys will look for information about the case. It is important to avoid posting on Facebook, as well as responding to any comments about the case on Facebook. Ask your loved ones to avoid posting anything about you or your case on Facebook, as well. This can help to prevent any Facebook posts from being used against you in court.
Instagram is one of the fastest growing social media sites. One of the major drawbacks of posting on Instagram is that the platform features pictures with every post. Posting pictures after the accident can be used as significant evidence against you. This can be particularly detrimental in situations where you can’t return to work due to excessive pain, but attempt to return to the gym. Posting a picture of your progress at the gym can be used as evidence that your injuries are less severe than you claim. Avoid spending time on Instagram during your personal injury case.
Twitter is a platform that makes it incredibly easy for people to share their thoughts as soon as they cross their mind. This makes it a particularly dangerous social media platform to access during a personal injury case, as it may tempt you to share angry thoughts regarding your case. These emotional responses may be used against you during the trial. It is important to stay away from Twitter until your case has officially concluded. This can go a long way toward protecting your case from the harm that social media can cause to it.
Personal injury cases can be incredibly complex. Posting about the case on your social media can cause the outcome of the case to be less than ideal. It is important to consult with a legal professional to ensure the best possible outcome for your social media case. Here at LeBaron & Jensen, we strive to provide you with the information and guidance that you need to obtain the best outcome for your personal injury case. In order to obtain superior legal counsel or more information about how social media can impact your case, contact our office today!
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