Almost everyone is on social media – be it Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Snapchat. The majority of Americans use different social media platforms, with Facebook being the most popular. It is not uncommon for people to post random happenings in their day to day lives. But what gets the most engagement are the significant events or incidents that are shared in the social networking platforms. The bigger the news, the more engagement it can get.
Take car accidents, for instance. When one gets involved in a car accident, it is usually shared on social media to inform their family and friends about what they went through. The purpose is to update them about what happened and the case progress. However, what they don’t realize is that it can hurt their personal injury claims.
What Insurance Companies May Do
Many insurance companies are out to protect their company interests rather than yours. Insurance company adjusters and defense attorneys who work for insurance companies are aware of the fact that accident victims like posting their ordeal on social media. They might opt to have a peek at your social media postings and activities to find something that they can use against you.
They can be quite skilled at scouring the web for whatever piece of information they might find and use to their advantage. When they find one, regardless of the nature of the post, they can manipulate the material and play it against you. They can access your public social media accounts and collect evidence that they can use and jeopardize your claim.
Social Media Don’ts and Do’s When Involved in an Auto Accident
There are safety measures you can do to protect your personal injury claim. As a general rule, you must refrain from posting about the accident for everyone on your friends list to see.
It is even strongly advised to stay away from social media sites in the meantime. If you really must share this via social media channels, you can send it as a private message to people or groups that you trust.
Social Media Don’ts:
- Post the details of the accident in your social media account and public forums.
- Discuss details of your case with anyone in social media who are not directly concerned with it. And when the settlement has been resolved, try to avoid posting about it.
- Upload photos of you doing physical activities after or even before the accident. Such images may be harmless, but you never know when it might backfire. Those photos can be used to contest the authenticity of your injury, which in turn can negatively affect your personal injury claim.
- Accept friend requests from people you do not know personally, especially if such requests came after the accident. It might be a private investigator working for the insurance company, who wants to follow your activities through social media.
- Post your location details. It could work against you. For example, if you post a picture of yourself in a park following a leg injury from the accident, it will surely raise questions from the insurance company and may diminish or deny your personal injury claim.
Social Media Do’s:
- Be wary of your privacy settings. Limit who can see your posts only to those you know. Insurance companies sometimes hire a private investigator and follow you after the accident. To avoid prying eyes, set your social media accounts to private so that only the people you personally know are allowed to see your posts.
- Sometimes, you may be tagged by a friend or family member in a photo or status update, which can directly or indirectly affect your case. Ask them to skip tagging you while you are not yet in the clear.
- Limit your search visibility. Change your internet privacy settings so that you are not “discoverable” in the public search listing.
Get Professional Help to Protect Your Claims
If you or a loved one has been involved in an auto accident, following the social media do’s and don’ts guideline can be of great help. Remember that insurance companies can be aggressive in challenging personal injury claims, especially if it’s a major one.
For legal help when it comes to personal injury claims due to auto accidents in Michigan, The Clark Law Office is your best choice. With our years of experience and extensive legal knowledge, you know your case is in good hands. Contact us today for a free consultation with our Lansing car accident law firm and let us discuss how we can help you get the fair and rightful compensation for your personal injury.
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