Have you been injured and need to pursue a personal injury case to get the compensation you need to recover? If so, the way you handle social media right now can help or hurt that case. To help you make the choices that will prevent any damage to your claim, here are a few things to avoid doing and saying.
Don't Talk About the Accident. The wisest course before (and even after) a personal injury case is to avoid saying anything about the incident or its aftermath. Even what appears to be harmless statements can be misconstrued by the opposing side's attorneys. For instance, if you casually mention that you totaled your truck, a lawyer may argue that you are admitting fault.
Don't Use Public Forums. If you must use social media, be sure all settings are private. Attorneys are adept at mining the internet for anything they can use against you, and public locations are their easiest target. Your accounts should all remain private, but also refrain from posting on any chat rooms, message boards, comment sections, or friends' accounts that don't share the same privacy settings.
Don't Destroy If Told Not To. The opposing side's lawyers may seek a court order not to delete or destroy anything on social media that may relate to the accident or your injuries. If this happens in your case, don't violate it in any way. Remember that your own access points are not the only way for attorneys to find old posts. And violating court orders will get you in trouble you don't need.
Don't Post Pictures. They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. This is often true in civil lawsuits where the opposing team will try to cultivate the perception they want about your injuries. Even a harmless photo of you at the museum with your kids could be used as proof that your injuries aren't as bad as you claim.
Don't Talk About Your Attorney. Your personal injury attorney is a big part of your life during the course of the claim, but they should never be a subject of discussion on social media. Complaints about how the case or your treatment is going, for instance, could be used as a bargaining chip by the other team's lawyers or to devalue your injury claim.
Want to know more about how to use — or not use — social media during your case? A personal injury law firm can advise you on how to keep your case safe.
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