Social Media and Personal Injury Claims: DOs and DON’Ts

Hand holding a like. Social Media and Personal Injury Claims

Injured in an Accident?

Social media is not the place for injury accident show-and-tell

In today’s world, people tend to share every aspect of their lives on social media, from their breakfast to celebrity sightings. However, when it comes to personal injury accidents, it’s best to keep quiet. Social media and personal injury claims do not mix well, so be sure to follow our personal injury social media guidelines.

According to the Datareportal Global Review:

  • More than half the globe uses social media (59%)
  • 137 million new users have signed up in the last year
  • The average daily time spent on social media is 2 hours and 31 minutes

But posting about your personal injury accident on social media can be detrimental to your case. Whether you’ve been involved in a car accident, a workplace accident, or a slip-and-fall accident, it’s essential to avoid discussing the details of your case on social media.

Any comments, photos, or videos related to your accident could be used against you in court. To ensure the best possible outcome for your personal injury case, it’s best to avoid social media altogether when it comes to your accident.

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Social Media and Personal Injury Claims As Part of Discovery Requests

It’s important to keep in mind that social media can have a significant impact on personal injury cases. Even if you have a private profile, social media and personal injury claims don’t mix well.

Lawyers for the other party can use your posts against you by scouring through your photos, captions, and daily activities. They can find anything you say or do to undermine your case.

In fact, your social media activity could be requested as part of the discovery process in your case. Even if you think your posts are harmless, the court can order you to provide printouts of all your activity.

That’s why it’s best to avoid social media altogether while your personal injury case is pending. Don’t take any chances that could hurt your case in the long run.

Social Media Can Undercut Your Claim

In the age of social media, it’s easy to share every aspect of your life with the world. However, if you’ve been involved in a personal injury case, social media can be a minefield that could cost you your settlement. Social media and personal injury claims can be a dangerous combination, and defense attorneys can use anything you post against you.

Even if you think you have a private profile, there’s no guarantee that your posts won’t be used against you. Your best bet is to avoid social media altogether while your case is pending.

Even innocent-looking posts can be twisted to suggest that you’re not as injured as you claim. And while you might trust your friends and family to keep your situation confidential, they might inadvertently post something that could compromise your case.

If you want to protect your personal injury claim, it’s essential to stay off social media until your case is settled. Don’t give the other party’s lawyers any ammunition to use against you. It’s better to err on the side of caution and avoid social media altogether.

How Social Media Posts Can Hurt Your Case

It’s important to be aware of the potential consequences of posting on social media during a personal injury case. You never know what could be used against you in court, even seemingly innocent posts or activities.

For instance, you might claim that your injury has limited your physical abilities, but a photo of you playing basketball or lifting weights could undermine that argument.

Similarly, posts about going out or traveling could suggest that your injury hasn’t impacted your life as severely as you’ve claimed. For instance:

  1. You’re claiming severe back pain from your injury, yet you’re posting photos that show you hiking, horseback riding, or giving your nephew a piggyback ride. Sure, these might be but the defense will argue otherwise.
  2. You post photos of yourself drinking alcohol and are later photographed driving a car or boat. Documentation like this could point to reckless behavioral patterns. This type of narrative works against you in court.
  3. Your claim includes “loss of enjoyment of life,” yet you have numerous posts where you are traveling, enjoying activities with friends, and generally looking happy and carefree.

It’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid posting altogether. Even if your posts seem harmless, they could be used against you in court to cast doubt on your case.

To protect your personal injury case, it’s best to refrain from posting anything, even “throwback” photos, related to your accident or injury on social media.

Photo of car accident on road. How to Determine Who is at Fault in a Texas Car Accident. Social Media in Personal Injury Claims. Social Media and Personal Injury Claims

Common Personal Injury Accidents in Texas

Some of the most common personal injury incidents involve motor vehicles. But even if your case doesn’t fall into one of these categories, our personal injury lawyers can help. We specialize in a wide range of personal injury cases:

How Can a Personal Injury Attorney Help?

If you were in an accident and later posted to social media, don’t worry. Our personal injury attorneys can help you determine the best path forward. We offer free consultations to help you understand your rights and see whether you have a case.

Your personal injury attorney is your advocate every step of the way, ensuring you don’t make any critical errors. We can help you build a strong case, taking all the unique factors of your accident into consideration.

We’ll investigate your accident using:

If you posted to social media after your accident, that doesn’t mean your case is destroyed. A skilled personal injury attorney can assess whether you have a case and offer guidance on how to proceed.

Contact An Experienced Texas Personal Injury Lawyer Today

Staying off social media isn’t about hiding the truth. It’s about refusing to give the other team ammunition to use against you. Videos, photos, captions, and tags can be taken out of context and misrepresented to make you seem dishonest or unreliable. But a dedicated personal injury attorney can help you understand how social media and personal injury claims don’t mix well.

Remember, we do not collect any compensation until you win. Our legal experts are here 24/7/365 to assist with your case so you can focus on recovering from your injuries. We are happy to answer any questions during your free case evaluation, so CALL US TODAY.

No Win No Fee for Personal Injury Case. Social Media and Personal Injury Claims

Texas Personal Injury Attorney FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is a Texas personal injury lawyer?

A Texas personal injury lawyer practices personal injury law. They deal with victims of accidents like hit-and-runs, drunk driving, dog bites, workplace accidents, and more. A personal injury lawyer can help you recover compensation for damages and losses, like medical bills and lost wages. We can also show you why social media and personal injury claims don’t work well together.

Can my social media posts be used in court?

Yes. The other side can demand printouts of your social media activity as part of the discovery process. Your social media posts could be considered critical evidence because they can either support or refute your claims of injury, lost wages, loss of enjoyment, and more. Remember:  social media and personal injury claims are not friends.

How do I sue for personal injury?

A skilled personal injury lawyer can help you sue for damages. They will use their years of expertise and knowledge to prove fault and negotiate a fair settlement for your injuries, pain, and suffering.

What is the statute of limitations for personal injury in Texas?

In Texas, personal injury victims have two years to file a lawsuit. Failing to file quickly enough can result in the dismissal of the case, and the statute of limitations vary by state. A personal injury accident attorney can help you file everything correctly to avoid losing out on fair compensation. CALL US TODAY.

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State law limits the time you have to file a claim after an auto accident. If you have been injured in an accident, call now to get the help you need.