If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing in Florida, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. However, in today’s world, social media can impact your personal injury case in ways you may not even realize. Here’s what you need to know:
Social media can be used as evidence
One of the most important things to keep in mind is that anything you post on social media can be used as evidence in your personal injury case. Insurance companies and defense attorneys will be looking for any information that can be used against you to reduce the amount of compensation you receive. This means that even innocent posts, such as pictures of you doing everyday activities, can be misconstrued as evidence that you are not as injured as you claim.
Privacy settings may not protect you
Many people believe that setting their social media profiles to private will protect them from prying eyes. However, this is not always the case. If you have mutual friends with the other party or if someone else shares your posts, they may still be used as evidence. Additionally, if you delete posts or change your privacy settings after your accident, this can be seen as an attempt to hide evidence, which can be damaging to your case.
What you say online can be used against you
In addition to pictures and videos, anything you say online can be used as evidence against you. This includes posts, comments, and messages. Even innocent statements can be taken out of context and used against you. For example, if you post that you are feeling better, this can be used as evidence that you are not as injured as you claim.
Be careful what you post about your case
Finally, it’s important to be careful what you post about your case online. While it can be tempting to vent your frustrations or share details about your case with friends and family, doing so can be detrimental to your case. Anything you say can be used as evidence against you, so it’s best to avoid discussing your case online altogether.
How to protect yourself on social media during a personal injury case
To protect yourself on social media during a personal injury case, there are a few steps you can take:
- Do not post anything about your case: It’s best to avoid posting anything about your case on social media. This includes details about your injuries, medical treatment, legal proceedings, or settlements.
- Adjust your privacy settings: While adjusting your privacy settings may not protect you entirely, it can limit the amount of information that is publicly available. Ensure that your posts, pictures, and profile are only visible to your friends and family.
- Avoid posting pictures or videos: Pictures and videos are particularly susceptible to being used as evidence against you. Avoid posting pictures or videos of you engaging in physical activity, going out, or doing anything that could be construed as inconsistent with your injuries.
- Be cautious about who you accept as friends: Do not accept friend requests from people you don’t know, particularly if they have connections to the other party or their insurance company. They may be attempting to gain access to your social media accounts to find evidence against you.
- Do not delete posts or accounts: Do not delete any posts or accounts related to your personal injury case. This can be seen as tampering with evidence, which can damage your case.
It’s essential to be aware of how social media can impact your personal injury case in Florida. The best way to protect yourself is to avoid posting anything related to your case, adjust your privacy settings, and be cautious about who you accept as friends. If you have any questions or concerns, it’s best to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney who can guide you through the process
As a law firm that specializes in personal injury cases in Florida, we understand the impact that social media can have on a personal injury case. We can help you navigate the complexities of social media during your case by educating you on how it can impact your case and advising you on what to do and what not to do to protect yourself.
At Serrano Law, we can monitor your social media activity to ensure that you are not inadvertently posting anything that could be used against you in court. We can also collect evidence from social media that support your case, such as pictures or posts that show the severity of your injuries.
If your case goes to court, we can represent you and argue against any evidence presented by the other party that was obtained from your social media accounts. Additionally, we can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf to ensure that they do not use any evidence obtained from social media to reduce the compensation you are entitled to.
At Serrano Law, we can help you with the impact of social media on your personal injury case in Florida by providing guidance, monitoring your social media activity, collecting evidence, representing you in court, and negotiating with insurance companies. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you with your personal injury case.