Reasons To Keep Your Car Accident Off of Social Media
Keep Your Accident Off Social Media
In the age of social media, it’s become second nature to post life’s happening on Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram, and so forth. This includes when you have a vehicle accident. However, you may be harming your insurance claim and potential legal case in doing so.
Don’t Discuss Anything Accident Related On Social Media
You’ve likely seen enough movies to know that people get themselves in all sorts of trouble by talking to authorities without obtaining legal representation. In the case of social media, you’re talking to anyone and everyone who can see your posts.
Whether it be your physical state, property, or details about the crash, you’re offering information that could impact your financial compensation. The other party from the accident may look you up on social media and use that information against you. Insurance companies, authorities, and law firms representing the accused may do the same.
Always speak to a personal injury law firm Bradenton Florida before posting anything accident-related on social media. Why?
1. Even Benign Statements Can Be Taken As Admission Of Fault
Let’s say you posted that you “just looked up to see a car headed straight for me.” It may seem innocent enough. The reason the vehicle was headed straight for you may be that the other driver swerved into your lane. Maybe he was even intoxicated or distracted by a phone. But, in the hands of the right injury attorney in Bradenton FL, it can be flipped that you were the one distracted. Suddenly, you’re being asked why you were looking down as opposed to “up” in the first place.
2. Posts Can Live Forever
Even if you contact a Bradenton FL lawyer after the post and are advised to delete it, the results are already out of your hands. You may own the images, but any passerby could have already taken a screenshot of your post, and that extends to when friends share your post, which then makes it viewable to people outside your privacy settings. You’d be surprised at how easily insurance representatives and legal teams can track down your posts, even after you’ve deleted the original. The wrong angle of a picture you post of your mangled vehicle, for example, can be used to discredit your damages claims.
3. Niceties And Polite Answers Can Be Taken Literally
How many times have you said you’re “okay” when someone asks? Out of social niceties, most people don’t give a full medical report of their injuries and pains. Yet, such polite answers can be used by lawyers and insurance companies as proof that you’re allegedly overplaying your injuries. After all, your post says you’re “okay,” right?
4. Counting Unhatched Chickens Looks Deceptive
As you post hospital selfies, injury pictures, and detail the property you lost in the accident, others will naturally be sympathetic, angry, or demanding of justice on your behalf. You might return the comments to detail your negotiations or the amount of compensation you expect as to ease their minds. First of all, this may violate confidentiality agreements. Second, a personal injury law firm Bradenton Florida can use that information to paint you as a get-rich character.
5. Defending Yourself On Social Media Often Releases Sensitive Info
Whether it be to defend your name or as part of an online picture album to document the event, you may be inadvertently posting sensitive information contained on accident reports, insurance cards, driver’s licenses, and so forth. Leave any proofs to your legal team at Neri Law Group. Your lawyer will know exactly how to stop any gossip and defend your name without releasing your private information on the web.
Have You Been In A Florida Vehicle Accident?
If so, don’t turn to social media to vent or announce your situation. Keep your information private until you can obtain legal guidance. Contact an experienced injury attorney in Bradenton FL immediately to protect your rights, information, and potential for compensation. Remember, time is always essential in collecting and preserving the evidence in your crash case.
