Social media plays a major role in daily life, but it also influences legal matters. In a personal injury case, posts, comments, and photos shared online can become evidence. Understanding how social media affects a claim helps protect a case’s outcome.
Social media posts provide evidence
Everything shared on social media becomes public information. Insurance companies and opposing attorneys examine social media accounts to find posts that contradict injury claims. For example, a person claiming severe back pain may weaken their case by posting a video of a recent hiking trip. Even a simple check-in at a social event may suggest that injuries are not as serious as reported.
Privacy settings do not ensure protection
Adjusting social media privacy settings may limit public access, but it does not make posts completely private. Courts can issue subpoenas to obtain social media content, and mutual friends or followers may share information with the opposing party. Deleting posts after filing a claim creates further issues, as it may appear as an attempt to destroy evidence.
Friends’ and family’s comments can impact the case
Even if an injured person avoids posting about their case, comments from friends or family can still cause problems. A well-meaning friend might post, “Glad to see you doing better!” which could be taken out of context to argue that injuries are not as severe as claimed. Reminding close contacts not to discuss injuries or recovery online prevents unintentional harm.
Avoiding posts about injuries, activities, or legal matters helps protect a case. Limiting new friend requests and avoiding comments on others’ posts about the case also reduces risks. If unsure whether a post could harm a case, not sharing it remains the safest option. Keeping a low social media presence helps a favorable outcome for a personal injury claim.
