Traffic Offense Lawyer
Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are popular social media sites used to share stories and events in ones’ life. Consequently, these platforms have become a go-to site for insurance adjusters and lawyers who are looking for evidence to use against the victim of an accident.
Although social media might be a source that allows a victim to vent about what happened or could even allow friends and followers to give advice about what to do next, some things are best left unsaid. You never know who will see a post that could be, in some way, used against you. As a car accident lawyer might explain to you, after a car accident, the less you say about what happened, the better off your case may be.
Your Case Could Be Damaged
Car accident claims are often very complicated. If you have not found a car accident lawyer yet, like a car accident lawyer in Longwood, FL, or if the one you are considering working with has not already advised you, it is important to know that you should take precautionary measures as soon as possible after a car accident. One of these measures involves avoiding the use of any social media sites.
Insurance companies — regardless of how nice they might be to you — are not on your side. Once you report your case, you need to know that they will begin investigating what happened. They will also look for ways to exploit an opportunity which could result in a denial of your claim or a decreased amount of compensation. Anything you discuss on a public forum or on a social media page that could be viewed by others can be used against you.
There is a well-known example of a woman who was injured in a car accident and was seeking compensation from the liable party. She posted a picture of herself at a ski resort on social media. Bear in mind, she was not skiing and was inside of the restaurant. She was only there to watch her children ski; however, the insurance company saw this picture and felt that she was not adhering to her doctor’s orders, put herself in a dangerous situation that involved snow and ice, and was not as injured as she claimed to be. As a result, she lost thousands of dollars. This example is meant to give you a better understanding about why it is important to refrain from posting anything about your car accident.
What Insurance Companies Might Do
In the aftermath of an accident, the insurance company might:
- Demand access to your social media accounts.
- Create false accounts and follow you or add you as a friend.
- Gather any applicable evidence on your social media accounts.
- Review any check-ins to see where you have been.
- Monitor your photos and comments.
- Review any close friends or family member’s accounts.
If you are serious about recovering compensation after a car accident, it is highly recommended that you are mindful about anything you post in related to the collision, and about events and activities in your daily life. If you have any further questions, you can call a car accident lawyer.
Thanks to David & Philpot, P.L. for their insight into why it is important to be careful about posting on social media after an accident.