In the era of smartphones, social media has become a way of life for many individuals.
Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, SnapChat, and Instagram are prime examples of popular social media outlets where one can provide updates to online friends or connections on travel, weekend plans, family, job promotions, or any daily activity. Although social media is a great tool for catching up on current events, it’s not the proper platform to discuss any circumstances surrounding a personal injury claim.
Insurance companies have become experts at utilizing social media profiles to investigate individuals who make claims for damages against insureds. Oversharing information on social media can arm insurance carriers with ammunition to make a low ball offer or completely deny your claim for personal injuries. If you have a pending personal injury claim as the result of another party’s negligence, the best practice is to completely refrain from using social media.
If you cannot entirely abstain from social media use during the pendency of your personal injury claim, be conscious of the content included in your posts and pictures.
Despite the highest privacy settings, insurance companies can still obtain certain information from your social media profile. While you may enjoy alerting friends about your daily workout at the local gym, the insurance company will most likely not agree to pay damages upon learning that the accident has not affected your routine. Moreover, continually monitor those friends who must constantly tag you in posts.
Finally, you may inadvertently post information on social media that could be detrimental to your claim for damages. Do not delete any of these social media posts. Courts may conclude that your action of deleting posts constitutes the destruction of evidence. Therefore, be honest and upfront about your social media activity.
If you have sustained personal injuries due to negligence of another party, please call Telpner Peterson Law Firm, LLP at 712-309-3738 today for legal advice on how to proceed with your potential claim for damages.