Social media is a useful tool for communication with colleagues, family, and friends. It can be utilized to see what is new, trendy, and unique in every facet of our lives. But social media is not without its controversies. Some of these controversies are very serious, especially if you are pursuing an injury case.

There are growing privacy concerns that come with the public nature of social media. This has caused more people to become hesitant to share information about themselves.

Social Media and your injury case

People share details about their life on social media. But this can come at a cost if you’re pursuing an injury case, even if you restrict access to your account after an accident.

Many users are not aware that their previously public information can be used against them. Granting permission to third-party websites or a change in a web site’s policy can create difficulties in making sure everything you posted is private.

If, for example, a defendant alleged you faked your injury, they might be able to gain access to your social accounts, finding pictures before and after the accident trying to prove their point.

Although it is tempting to post a quick update about events, doing so can undermine the case you’re pursuing. But you can mitigate any conflicts by avoiding social media.

Evidence, particularly on publicly accessible accounts, can be collected without any questioning. Everything you post to your social media accounts could be used against your injury case.

Similarly, if you deleted your profile or select posts or photos, the data isn’t really gone. It can still be recovered. In more extreme cases, there are even computer-based forensic tools that can be used to extract files, even after those files have been deleted.

 Social Media and what it can cost you

Social media can torpedo your injury case if you’re not careful.

If your images and updates make it look like everything is fine, then that information can be used against you. But on the other hand, if you edit the content or delete your profile, then it may come across like you’re trying to hide something.

All content you post onto your profile can be used in a formal and legal setting. This can work in your favor or against you, depending on your claim and the defendant’s counterclaim. Formally and legally, it has already been established that social media is public record.

While you should always take pictures after an accident, those pictures should not be uploaded to a social media account. Those pictures should be given to an attorney who can represent you.

Who to contact

Social media is popular for millions of people. You should know how to use it effectively to have a seamless case. If you are injured in an accident and pursuing an injury case, you should know how social media can impact your case.

Avoid the temptation to post on social media.  If you have questions about how social media can ruin your injury case, contact Norton Frickey, P.C. We can help you navigate the intricacies of social media and help win your personal injury case. Call us at (719) 634-6450 or contact us today for a free consultation.