Over the last decade, social media has transformed the way the world communicates. According to the Pew Research Center, 79% of adults today have a social media profile. Social media allows people to share thoughts, ideas, interests, and images on the internet with anyone they choose.
With people sharing so much personal information online, it would seem natural to post and share the details of a life changing accident. But making this private information public in the months following an accident can be detrimental to a personal injury claim.
Individuals making personal injury claims are typically seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. They want to be financially compensated for the reduction in their quality of life. The task for the prosecution is to prove that lingering pain is preventing the victim from doing activities that they would normally have been able to enjoy.
For example, someone might claim to have been very social before an accident but due to the daily pain or depression they now experience, they are forced to spend their time at home alone. Posting pictures of a fun night out with friends would be contradictory to their claim. And you can bet that the defense will use their social media profile as a source for proof that compensation for quality of life is not deserved.
Many people do not realize that posts on social media are considered public record. Anything posted on the internet by you or by others about you can be used against you in a personal injury claim. Only private messages require consent or a warrant.
The best advice following an accident is to deactivate all social media profiles, at least until the claim is resolved. If you choose to maintain your profiles, it is important to change all security settings to private and to not accept any unknown friend requests. And be cautious of what you post. Information that may seem unrelated to your case can still be used against you.
If you have any questions or are wondering if you should make a personal injury claim, contact Todd W. Burris, Lexington, KY personal injury lawyer, today. The team at the Law Office of Todd W. Burris is happy to provide you with a no-obligation case consultation and offer social media consultation to help ensure that your case is successful.
