Why Should You Avoid Social Media During a Personal Injury Case?
If you’re involved in a personal injury case, you may be tempted to post on social media. This is something you shouldn’t do, as your posts and the posts of others can be used against you by the defense. It is thus important to avoid social media if you’re involved in any kind of personal injury case.
Why Should You Avoid Social Media During a Personal Injury Case?
There are understandable reasons why you would want to post positive messages on social media. You may want to show that you’re okay after an accident, that you’re still staying positive and enjoying life. Few people want to portray an unattractive negative image on social media.
If you’re in the process of a personal injury lawsuit, however, you mustn’t post anything that can be used against you in court. If you post a positive image, the opposing lawyer can take your portrayal of yourself as evidence that your case isn’t as serious as you claim.
The essential rule is to avoid social media if you’re involved in a personal injury lawsuit. If you can help it, don’t post anything at all. The defendant’s attorneys will be keeping a close eye on your social media accounts for anything they can bring up in court that harms your case.
What If You Make Your Posts Private?
Even if you make your posts private or friends-only, this is unlikely to prevent other parties from viewing them. While your posts may be protected, the posts of others might not be. The nature of social media is to share other people’s posts and feelings, so if you say something that can be used against you in court on social media and anyone repeats what you said, the defense will be able to see and utilize it.
Note that this includes any photos of you taken by others. A photo that shows you smiling at a get-together will do nothing to help the case you’re trying to make, which is that the injury you suffered is debilitating and worthy of damages. This type of photo is especially dangerous if you’re pursuing damages related to emotional trauma.
Deleting your posts after you’ve made them is also not a good idea. Not only is everything you say in the public record even after being deleted, but this might also be considered evidence tampering. Don’t delete your accounts or any of your posts.
Staying off of social media entirely is vital if you want to have the strongest case possible. If you believe you may have a cause for a personal injury lawsuit, set up a consultation with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.