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Posting on Social Media after a Car Accident

Social media is an integral part of many people’s lives with daily posts to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google Plus, and other social media sites. While posting the latest happenings in our lives has become second nature to some, sharing these details can often affect the outcome of select situations.

Attorney Charlie Contrada reminds car accident victims to be careful when they post to social media after a car accident. Sometimes statuses can be misinterpreted and presented in a different light than what the individual intended. Or, certain individuals may compromise their case by sharing details regarding their health that the insurance company can later use against them in defense of their claim.

Social Media Affects Your Car Accident Claim

If you have been involved in a car accident, the best thing to do is to not post about it online. Posting details regarding the cause of the accident, what you were doing at the time, or how you are feeling afterward can be used by the insurance company to fight your injury claims.

Some people do not realize that a simple post like, “Today is not going right. First I was late to work, then my junk car caused an accident,” is admitting to fault when in fact they were not at fault. One of the first things that insurance companies do today is check the social media profiles of a car accident victim. A post like this would be the equivalent to someone admitting fault in the accident, jeopardizing any claim the individual might make.

Insurance Companies Monitor Social Media

Let’s say you were in a car accident and you suffered injury to your back and neck. You have gone to your car accident lawyer and will be seeking compensation for these injuries and the effect that they’ve had on your life, whether that is pain and suffering, time off work, or medical expenses. But, as you are filing a personal injury claim for your car accident, you have posted a picture and status on Facebook of you standing in front of a newly planted garden that your grandchildren planted, failing to mention that detail in the post. The insurance companies may see this social media post and claim that you are exaggerating your injuries because someone who is injured would not be able to plant a garden. The insurance company could then attempt to not pay the full amount of compensation that you would have received otherwise.

Another example of a social media post that could hurt a personal injury claim would be a young individual who has been injured in a car accident, but has attended a house party. They may post a picture of people dancing at the party, giving the perception that they too are dancing, while they are in fact sitting on a couch with their crutches beside them.

Refrain from Social Media during a Car Accident Claim

The best advice that attorney Charlie Contrada can give when it comes to posting on social media following a car accident is simply, “Don’t do it.” If you have have any doubts that what you are sharing will potentially hurt your claim, the best thing to do is to not say anything at all.

Sharing insight into your health or emotional condition through social media is similar to sending the insurance company an insider’s update on your condition. Your car accident lawyer can give you further guidance. As a precautionary measure, Contrada & Associates advises car accident victims to take a step back from the social world until their car accident lawsuit is settled. Some of the things that an individual should not post include:

  • Updates on health conditions or injuries
  • Details about their accident
  • Details about communication with their lawyer
  • What the insurance company is offering
  • Frustration with the insurance company/other driver

Ohio Car Accident Lawyer

Attorney Charlie Contrada hopes that accident victims take the advice above and refrain from sharing details of their lives during their car accident lawsuit. The purpose of this is to avoid the chances of jeopardizing your claim. You do not want to give the insurance company the opportunity to “spin” one of your personal posts into something that significantly affects your settlement.

If you would like to speak to attorney Charlie Contrada about your accident or receive advice on what to avoid when posting to social media, call 800.841.4400. Attorney Contrada cares about the well-being of his clients and gives his clients the guidance and support that they need throughout the course of their car accident lawsuit. Having served thousands of clients in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan, Contrada & Associates can help you receive the best possible outcome after your car accident. 

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Attorney Charlie Contrada has been practicing law since 1979, focusing his career on personal injury, car accident, and mesothelioma cases. Over the years, Charlie has helped thousands of clients throughout Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan to receive the settlements that they deserve.

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