No doubt you’d agree that technology has changed our means of communication. When Facebook started over fifteen years ago, it replaced the then popular MySpace. It remains an industry giant, with research studies showing that 69% percent of adults use the platform. Meanwhile, you should be careful in this new world of telling all. At the very least, you need to limit your social media posts if you’re hurt in an accident.
It’s a well-established fact. Oversharing can come back to bite you. In a world where politics and religion were once off base subjects, social media has opened the floodgates as far as what we know about our “friends.”
The same should not be true if you suffered injuries as a result of someone else’s negligence. It really needs to remain a more personal matter. That said, you need to know the harm you could do when it comes to recovering the compensation you deserve.
Your smartphone plays a few roles in your personal injury case. Without question, it’s a great tool when it comes to photographing accident scenes and documenting other vital issues.
However, that same device also gives you the ability to provide evidence that could work against you. If an insurance adjuster or defendant comes across contradictory information, you can count on them using it.
Personal Injury Accidents And Social Media
It happens all the time. A college student nearly lost her life when a tractor-trailer rear-ended her SUV. Although she miraculously survived the truck accident, she suffered rather severe back and neck injuries.
After several months of extensive therapy, the young woman finally felt up to attending a friend’s wedding. While they were there, someone used Instagram to upload a video of a large group boogying on the dance floor. In the midst of all was the injury victim, seemingly enjoying the evening.
You certainly don’t need to stop living life just because you’re pursuing damages for a negligence claim. However, you also don’t want someone to dispute the extent of your injuries. Worse yet, you don’t want to fight allegations that you weren’t hurt at all.
Protect Your Privacy on Social Media
As you might guess, protecting your privacy on social media is critical. For starters, take a look at your settings. Do you limit your audiences on all of the platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat? What about LinkedIn?
Take a look. Do you actually know everyone you’re calling a friend or that you network with on a professional basis? There’s a chance the answer is no.
This should be a revelation to you. Limit your social media posts. If you want to put up inspirational messages or pictures of babies and animals, that needs to suffice for now.
Also, take precautions concerning who can “tag” you in posts. The last thing you want is someone else inadvertently working against you.
Meanwhile, you should also refrain from contacting the defendants. That, too, can work contrary to your best interests.
Contact Us
Fellerman & Ciarimboli represents personal injury clients who need our help in pursuing damages claims. Give us a call to see how we can assist you.
