Why Social Media and Personal Injury Don’t Mix: Here’s How Going Public Can Damage Your Case



In today’s world, it can be difficult to understand what privacy actually means. What does living a private life even look like? Many people have grown so accustomed to displaying their personal lives on social media that it’s become second nature. For many, it can feel natural to take photos specifically for Instagram or to rant on Facebook about the most recent frustrating encounter they’ve had.
What happens, though, if you get hurt and it’s blasted on social media? What if you feel that legal action should be taken? There are many reasons why going public with your personal injury can actually damage your case.
Who Has Access?
When you post details about your life on any social media outlet, you may be surprised at who exactly is collecting information. While connecting with your friends and family is harmless, it’s not unlikely that people you may not know also have access to your personal information.
Depending on the situation with your case specifically, there may even be people searching for information to use against you. Once someone finds enough pieces, they can create whatever puzzle they want. It’s crucial that as soon as you file a personal injury claim, you provide your attorney with all of your social media accounts so that there are no surprises in court.
According to personal injury attorneys at Teddy, Meekins & Talbert, the first priority is to investigate your case. The more information your lawyers have to work with, the better the outcome of the case will be.
Information Can Be Used as Evidence.
Perhaps you’ve broken your leg and are unable to walk without crutches. While social media content can help support your claim if you have photos of you on crutches, or written content mentioning your situation, it can also go the other direction. What if someone tags you in a photo where you’re standing on both legs? Maybe you’ve claimed to have emotional distress, but your content shows a much happier version of yourself.
It could certainly come back to haunt you if you decide to eliminate content or destroy an electronic device, but it’s generally good practice to simply steer clear of a heavy online presence if you’re going through a legal battle of any kind.
It’s so important not to discuss your case with anyone, and that absolutely includes refraining from posting about it on social media. Everything can be used as evidence, so take a step back and allow your lawyer to do the necessary work. Just make sure not to say or post anything you don’t mean.


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