Although Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms are a great way to connect with family and friends, one innocently posted image of yourself can potentially be misinterpreted and used against you. For example, following a car accident it is not uncommon for people to post a photo of their damaged vehicle. Oftentimes, these photos are accompanied by a sentence or two explaining how “Everyone is okay,” and “Thank goodness no one was hurt.” While this might provide comfort to your followers, it welcomes the insurance companies to use these words against you later on down the road. All it takes is a single photo, taken out of context and misrepresented by the insurance company, to significant damage your credibility, and the relatability of your injuries.
It's true that in the vast majority of car accidents the injured party often doesn’t feel the complete magnitude of their injuries for several days. It’s only when the adrenaline has worn off that the pain tends to settle in. In the first few critical days following an accident, the last thing you’d want to do is post how you’re unharmed, only to find yourself in the hospital later in the week. Insurance companies can use these posts, and your own words, to discredit your injuries and substantially lessen the value of your injury claim.
While sharing details about your car accident and subsequent injuries can harm your claim, deleting a post after the fact is even worse. Deleting a post about your accident/injuries can make you look as though you’re hiding something, further undermining your credibility. If you have already posted about your car accident on social media, contact a personal injury attorney right away. They can help dispute potentially harmful claims made by the insurance company while simultaneously ensuring that no additional/unnecessary mistakes are made on your part.
If you, or someone you know, has been wrongfully injured, contact Buss Law, LLC today for a FREE consultation!