At the Russell Law Firm, LLC, our Baton Rouge car accident attorneys know social media is an integral part of how people connect, engage with news content, share information, and entertain themselves.
According to the Pew Research Center, 302.35 million social media users in the U.S. alone as of 2023. That means 90% of the total U.S. population uses social media actively.
Because using social media is second nature to most Louisiana residents, our personal injury lawyers explain to our clients they must be cautious about what they post on social media, as there is a significant chance it can harm their cases.
Here is what you need to know.
How Does Posting to Social Media Potentially Harm My Car Accident Claim?
Some are surprised to learn insurance companies, and opposing attorneys often investigate claimants’ social media profiles to gather evidence that can be used against them.
Social media postings can negatively impact a car accident and injury claim in several ways, including:
- Inconsistent Statements
If you make statements on social media that contradict your claims in the accident case, it can be used to argue that you are not truthful or that your injuries are not as severe as you claim.
- Photos and Videos
Pictures or videos posted on social media can be misconstrued or taken out of context. For example, a photo of you engaged in physical activities or smiling can be used to undermine your claims of physical pain or emotional distress.
- Location and Activities
Check-ins, location tags, or posts about your activities can be used to challenge your claims of being unable to perform specific tasks or being in too much pain to engage in certain activities.
- Conversations with Friends
Comments and conversations with friends or family members on your social media posts can be used as evidence in your case, potentially revealing information that can be detrimental to your claim.
To protect your car accident claim, consider the following tips:
- Avoid discussing the accident or your injuries on social media.
- Set your social media profiles to private, limiting the people who can see your posts.
- Be cautious about accepting new friends or connection requests from unknown individuals.
- Think twice before posting photos, videos, or comments that could be used against you.
- Do not delete or alter social media content after an accident, as this could be seen as tampering with evidence.
Remember that anything you post on social media can be used as evidence in your car accident case, so exercise caution and allow us to guide you in managing your online presence.
The Russell Law Firm, LLC is in Your Corner, and We Fight to Win
If you have been injured in a vehicle collision caused by negligence in Louisiana, contact our dedicated Baton Rouge personal injury attorneys today at (225) 307-0088 or online to get the legal support you need to produce real results for your unique case.
Information furnished herein is only general and not a substitute for personalized legal advice. Any and all discussions and photographs visible herein depict no actual event or scene, but merely a dramatization.