Can My Social Media Use Affect My Personal Injury Claim?

 Posted on July 09,2024 in Personal Injury

Social media is an integral part of our lives. For many people, it is a great way of keeping in touch with family and friends on a regular basis. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) are public spaces where you can share your thoughts and life updates.

However, personal injury victims often forget that because these are public spaces, what they post can affect their personal injury claims. It is common practice for insurance companies and legal teams to comb through the social media accounts of personal injury victims, looking for anything that might contradict the victims’ claims.

If you are claiming compensation for damages, it is a good idea to have your Colorado personal injury attorney review your social media activity. He or she will advise you whether any content should be removed and will guide you on how to post to social media without jeopardizing your case.

This article will discuss how social media activity can affect your personal injury claim.

Social Media Posts Can Contradict Your Statements About an Accident

Your social media posts can contradict statements you have made to the insurance company or the court. For example:

• You claimed that you can no longer work due to your injury but you wrote a lengthy post on Facebook complaining about something your co-worker did.

• You claimed that you broke your arm but you posted a workout video to TikTok.

• You claimed that you are suffering from emotional and psychological distress but you posted photos of yourself on Instagram having a great time out with friends.

• You claimed to be out of work and suffering lost wages but you posted a photo of a brand-new car you just bought.

The content you post does not necessarily have to outright contradict a statement you made. It can, however, undermine your credibility just enough to make the insurance company or jury doubt the truth of what you are saying.

Social Media Posts Can Accidentally Admit Fault

Your social media activity can also admit fault if you are not careful. Imagine, for example, that you got into a car accident and you gave a statement blaming the other driver for the crash. Later, however, you post on X that you regret leaving the house without your glasses. Or, perhaps you joked on Facebook that you should not have had that extra vodka-cranberry at lunch. These posts can and most likely will be used against you to destroy your claim.

Contact a Fort Collins, CO Personal Injury Attorney

The things you say on social media can be used as evidence in court. It is important, therefore, to remain extra vigilant about what you post. Consult a Larimer County, CO personal injury lawyer about whether you have any content on your social media channels that can harm your case.

At Hoggatt Law Office, P.C., our experienced attorneys can spot how social media content can impact a personal injury claim. We will not only guide you in best practices for social media, but we will also fight to secure the best possible settlement for you. Call 970-225-2190 for a free consultation today.