Articles Posted in Social Media

a man using a computer in a dark roomSocial media has grown to become almost a national pastime. Millions of people use these apps on a daily basis to let others know what is going on in their lives. Although this is usually a positive thing, it can actually be harmful to a plaintiff’s personal injury claim. This is definitely a topic you will want to review with your own Georgia personal injury lawyer.

In part one of this blog, we discussed how a single social media post could ruin or decrease the value of your personal injury case. Now let’s examine why you are not in control of who sees your posts.

What about Privacy Settings?

Social Media App IconsIt seems that everyone uses at least one social media platform these days. These platforms are an innovative way to connect with others, whether it’s Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, or other social media giants. You probably have friends or followers that are family, co-workers, professionals, both old and new friends, and perhaps even professionals you use, such as your hairdresser or doctor. Maybe you share updates about your children, your job, politics, personal life, your pets, or even recipes. The sky is the limit with what you can share on social media, but should you worry about what you share during a personal injury case?  An experienced Georgia personal injury lawyer can best answer this question.

The Detriments of Social Media in Personal Injury Claims

If you are like most people, you have probably posted something in the past that you regretted or that caused more problems than it was worth. Posting about your personal injury case, no matter the type, and even other details of your life will potentially be detrimental to your claim. The biggest problem with social media use while trying to settle or litigate a personal injury claim is that you can reveal something that brings the facts of your case into doubt. A skilled Georgia personal injury attorney will tell you that it is best to stay off social media for the duration of your claim.

Social Media App IconsSocial media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat – and many more – have become so prevalent in our lives that we rarely give them much thought. If you’ve been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence and have a personal injury claim, however, you’re going to want to reevaluate your relationship with social media – at least for the time being. The fact is that the insurance company handling your claim is very likely to be paying close attention to your posts and other social media activity, so proceed with caution. If someone else’s negligence leaves you injured, seek the professional legal counsel of an experienced personal injury attorney serving the Atlanta area.

Bypass Social Media

There’s never a better time to give social media a hard pass than when you have a personal injury claim. Many of us have come to rely upon our posts as a way to connect with the world at large, but now really isn’t the time. The insurance company involved may well be combing your accounts for any hints or clues that you suffered fewer damages than you claim and/or that you share greater responsibility for the accident in question than you have admitted to.

Various smart-phone app social media icons, including Instagram, Facebook, and TwitterSocial media is here to stay – most everyone uses either Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or one of the other platforms, and many people use multiple forms on a daily basis. We use social media to stay in touch with friends and family, celebrate important milestones, and even share the seemingly insignificant but entertaining aspects of our day. We even use it to share our struggles and misfortunes when we need a sympathetic ear.  

In fact, social media has become so ingrained in our daily lives that we share our daily stories without much thought. “Oversharing” can be annoying or embarrassing, but in the context of a personal injury case, it can do irreparable damage to your chances of success. In this post, we’re going to share some suggestions to help keep your social media accounts out of your personal injury case.  

First and Foremost: Check Your Privacy Settings

Over the past decade, the rise of social media networks like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and a multitude of others have transformed the way we communicate with each other and, by extension, the way we live. Social media allows us to let others know what we’re up to and also gives us a chance to stay connected with friends and family we might not see as often as we would like. Social media has has managed to seep into almost every aspect of our culture, and the law has not been immune from its effects. When you are the plaintiff in a personal injury case, every move you make on social media can affect your claim. Below, we’ll examine a few ways that social media usage can harm your personal injury claim.

It Could Create Inconsistencies

Whenever you suffer an injury, especially a severe injury, you will get involved with a wide range of professionals, including doctors, medical personnel, insurance adjusters, attorneys, members of law enforcement, and more. The reason why all of these professionals are involved is because they are trying to help you document what happened so that you can present a clear picture to the judge or jury about exactly what happened to you. If you post about your injuries on social media and your description of them does not align exactly with the officially documented version of events, a defense attorney could seize upon these inconsistencies to diminish your case.

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