Why You Should Not Put Your Car Accident on Social Media
For many people, posting on social media is now a daily habit. They post and share videos, images, and comments talking about good news, bad news, and all sorts of events that are occurring in their lives. This is a harmless activity most of the time, but unfortunately, some people seem to have forgotten that social media posting is a public affair, not a private one. They share things they should not, which could put them in legal jeopardy. One such example of this is when a person posts comments or photos after they are involved in a car accident.
How Social Media Can Be Used Against You
It can be surprising to see how people forget that social media is the stage for a public conversation. Even if you have set your Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts to private, what you say and do can still leak out. Further, what you post can create misconceptions that can be used against you in a legal proceeding.
For instance, in car accidents, injuries such as whiplash can create a great deal of pain and long-lasting bodily damage. However, such injuries do not necessarily appear immediately after a car accident, and they do not necessarily prevent you from doing daily activities. For example, you may post a picture or a video a few days or weeks later on social media of you smiling, laughing, and seemingly having a good time. The optics of the post make it seem like you are not injured when, in reality, you were in tremendous pain. Further, the driver who caused the accident and his or her insurance company can use this as evidence to say you are exaggerating or even faking the injury. This could cause you to lose a case and not receive the compensation you deserve and need to pay your medical bills.
Go Radio Silent After Your Car Accident
Even if your social media is set to private, there are ways for someone looking for dirt to access it. It is common practice now for insurance claims investigators to review the social media accounts of individuals making a claim. They can and will use any comment, picture, or video you post against you in order to avoid paying the money owed to you. The best option is to take a break from social media until the legal proceedings and insurance investigation are finished. Even still, the legal process can be tricky, and that is why you need a skilled personal injury lawyer to guide you through this process.
Contact an Allegheny County Personal Injury Attorney
Be aware that your social media accounts could be used against you after you have been in a car accident. The Pittsburgh car accident lawyers at Colianni & Colianni, LLC can determine the best approach for your case if you are seeking damages. Contact our office today at 412-943-0007 for a free consultation.
Source:
http://www.theglobaldispatch.com/3-reasons-to-be-quiet-after-a-car-accident/