Social media has a huge impact on our lives. Most of us log in to Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or TikTok on a daily basis to check in with our friends and family or view the latest trends. We regularly post on these platforms to give everyone that follows us a little update. But did you know that if you’re not careful, sharing your life can have a detrimental impact on your personal injury claim?
Insurers May Be Watching
The information that you post on social media is typically public. This means that anyone can do a quick search and find your images or messages. This can be problematic if you’re in the process of making a personal injury claim.
We at Paschal O’Hare Solicitors are here to represent you if you make a personal injury claim. Solicitors are there to gather information and guide you through the legal process. It is always important to be truthful throughout the claims process. If you’re not truthful, the consequences can be very serious.
Claims are typically made not against an individual responsible for your accident, but rather against their insurer. It is therefore likely that the insurer will take any steps necessary to undermine your claim. It’s not uncommon for insurers to hire private investigators to follow you. It is expected that they will check your social media pages.
The insurer’s job is to create doubt. They will look through your information to find any inconsistency. For example, if you’re making a claim that includes psychiatric injury and are found to be smiling in a photo, an insurer could argue that your trauma didn’t hamper your life. Every action you post, every word you write, has the potential of being closely examined by an insurer. This examination is cheap and easy for an insurer to accomplish, so it will almost certainly happen.
Protecting Your Social Media Accounts
Your right to privacy is diminished on social media, so it is important to consider the following if you’re a regular poster. Please note that you should always be truthful throughout the personal injury claims process. The consequences can be very serious if you’re not truthful.
- Do not post anything about your accident or your injuries and don’t comment about your case.
- Think about what you post – It is important that you think carefully and deeply before you post anything on social media.
- Limit your Posts – Safest way to avoid having information being used against you is to avoid posting it in the first place. Try to limit how much your post entirely, particularly if you’re unsure whether you should be posting it.
If you or someone you know was involved in an accident and needs expert legal advice, contact our solicitors today.
