How Social Media Posts Can Hurt Your Pennsylvania Car Accident Claim

Car accident injuries can be severe, leaving you with long-term challenges and an inability to earn a living. Accident-related expenses can be astronomical, all in an effort to help you live a normal life. While you may think that recovering damages is simple with the right representation, you should be wary of using Facebook, Instagram, and other social media sites following an accident.

If you are claiming that a car crash left you with physical limitations, then your claim will certainly be undercut if you post pictures of yourself taking part in physical activities with family and friends. While our legal team recommends avoiding social media altogether, an attorney can advise you on how to protect yourself legally. At Fanelli, Evans & Patel, our Reading auto accident lawyers can help you understand the dangers of using social media following a crash.

Refrain from Using Social Media Following an Accident

We have all gotten so used to posting our lives on social media, allowing us to stay in touch with a wide circle of friends and family. Once you post on social media, your content becomes public, which can be detrimental in a personal injury case. Social media posts also include timestamps, which can be useful for reminiscing about good times but can be damaging to your case.

For instance, if you post a picture of yourself snowboarding with family, which is timestamped after your accident, this could be seen by opposing counsel or your insurance company, making them question the legitimacy of your injury claim. If you frequently use social media, you may be building a case against yourself.

How the Other Side Can Use Social Media to Hurt Your Case

Even one social media post can contradict your personal injury claim, making the insurance company or a court question the extent of your injuries. This occurred in Zimmerman vs. Weis Markets, Inc., in which the plaintiff claimed that he suffered an accident at work while operating a forklift, leaving him permanently impaired. However, his social media accounts showed the plaintiff riding his motorcycle and engaging in physical activities after the incident.

The plaintiff’s social media posts called into question the true extent of damages. The court ordered the plaintiff to provide passwords, username, and login information for his social media accounts to review posts and to discern how much money should be due to the plaintiff. The court ruled that the content of these posts outweighed any privacy concerns. Pennsylvania courts have since ruled that if social media posts are relevant to your case, then any information you post may be discoverable.

Steps to Protect Your Personal Injury Claim

The adverse party will seek out any information that could damage your case. If you want to remain active on social media, avoid posting about your accident or any new pictures of you that could undercut your claim. Additionally, please review the privacy settings on your posts. Most social media platforms allow users to control who can see their profile and content. If you choose to continue using social media, ensure your posts are visible only to people on your friends list.

You will want to remain vigilant throughout your entire case if you continue to use Facebook, Instagram, or any social media platform. Do not accept new friend requests, as they may be from users associated with opposing counsel. Be sure to ask your friends to refrain from posting about your case or any current pictures of you. The less information you put on the internet, the better. As always, if you have any concerns regarding your social media presence, our Reading auto accident attorneys are here to assist you.

Speak with Our Reading Auto Accident Attorneys Today

Social media can be problematic for a personal injury case, causing the other side to question the legitimacy of your injuries. Even if your injuries are serious, a post showing you participating in a sport or other physical activity may delay your recovery. At Fanelli, Evans & Patel, we are dedicated to helping individuals recover from physical, mental, and financial damages, no matter how difficult the path may be. To schedule a free consultation with one of our Reading auto accident lawyers, contact us online or call (484) 869-2113 today.