Hit Pause on Your Post: Social Media Can Hurt Your Personal Injury Case

When you’ve just been in a car accident and you’ve suffered an injury, you might feel the urge to share your experience with loved ones on social media afterward, and that’s understandable. Injuries can be traumatic, and connecting with those you care about is a natural coping mechanism.

However, when you’re pursuing a personal injury claim, hitting “post” could have unintended consequences. The Tiemann Law Firm wants you to know that sharing specific details online can potentially jeopardize your case, diminishing your chances of attaining just compensation. Read on and find out why it’s often best not to post anything at all.

Social Media Risks

Below are some more specific examples of social media stumbles you should try to avoid:

• DON’T post photos or videos of activities incompatible with your claimed injuries. This could be anything from attending a concert to hiking to playing sports, creating doubt about the extent of your pain and suffering.
• DON’T vent about your injury, the accident, or the other party. Inflammatory language or assigning blame can be used to portray you negatively, impacting settlement negotiations.
• DON’T discuss the details of your case or settlement negotiations. Sharing confidential information online can violate attorney-client privilege and seriously compromise your legal strategy.

Protecting Your Case

Try to keep in mind that social media is a public platform. You can protect your personal injury case by:

• Consulting your attorney: Before posting anything related to your accident or claim, discuss it with your lawyer. They can advise you on what to share and what to avoid.
• Adjusting your privacy settings: Make your social media profiles private to limit who can see your posts.
• Staying mindful of what you share: Even on private profiles, use caution and avoid sharing details about your injuries, treatment, or legal proceedings.
• Considering a temporary break: If you’re concerned about the potential impact, taking a temporary break from social media might be the best course of action.

Are you in need of assistance with a personal injury claim? If so, the Tiemann Law Firm can help. Our personal injury attorneys will bring more than 25 years of experience to bear and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free, same-day consultation by calling (916) 999-9000 or toll-free: (800) 712-2000.