Social media is woven into our daily routines. Many of us scroll through photos, share updates, or check in with friends without thinking twice. But if you were recently injured in an accident and plan to take legal action, what you post, or what others post about you, can significantly change the outcome of your case.
Why Social Media Might Help You
“Not every post will move your case forward. In fact, most will do nothing or may raise questions you did not intend. But when handled carefully, social media can support three key parts of your claim,” says Personal injury attorney Gerald Thurswell of Thurswell Law.
Social media can help your case in the following ways:
- Corroborating evidence
Imagine someone at the scene pulled out their phone and posted a video of the other driver speeding through a red light. You were too hurt to take pictures, but their post still exists. That post could give your attorney a useful place to start.
- Establishing what your life was like before the accident
Photos, videos, and updates shared before the accident can help show how your life looked before you were hurt. These posts could feature workouts, vacations, family time, or regular activities that are now out of reach. They offer a natural record of what you were able to do and what you may have lost.
- Connecting with other victims in multi-party cases
If ten people tag the same restaurant after getting food poisoning, that creates a digital trail others can follow. In multi-party cases like car pileups or public safety failures, social media helps victims find each other. Those connections can lead to stronger legal claims supported by more voices and shared evidence.
Why Social Media Can Backfire Fast
Now that you know how social media might help your case, it is just as important to understand how it can work against you. In most situations, using social media during an active personal injury case creates far more risks than benefits. Many attorneys will tell you that the safest approach is to stay off social media altogether until your case is resolved.
Here is why:
- Posts taken out of context: The other side will be watching for anything they can use to challenge your case. Even an innocent photo from a gathering with friends, where you are smiling or laughing, can be twisted to suggest that your injuries are not serious. What may feel like a harmless post could end up working against you in ways you did not expect.
- Contradicting your own claim: Sometimes, your own words on social media can undercut your injury claim. A post saying you feel grateful for a good day or that you are starting to feel better may be used to suggest that your suffering is not ongoing. This can undermine your case and make it more difficult to demonstrate the exact extent of your injuries.
The safest approach is to step away from social media for the entire length of your case. Even well-meaning posts can create problems that are hard to undo once they are public.
Here is what you should do:
- Avoid posting anything about the case or status of your health.
- Set all accounts to private.
- Tell friends and family not to tag you or post about you.
- Do not seek legal advice from social platforms.
- Always run questionable posts by your attorney first.
Final Word
We hope this article has made it easier to see how social media can affect your case, both for better and for worse. Taking the right steps now can help you avoid common missteps that many people make. Speaking with a lawyer might help you stay focused and make informed decisions.
Also Read: Understanding Why Personal Injury Claims Do Not End With Recovery
