How Social Media Affects Your Personal Injury Case
Today, almost everyone is a part of at least one social media platform. Whether it’s Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or wherever you like to post, you leave a digital footprint on these sites. While social media platforms can be fun and an awesome way to connect, they can also work against you. Here is how social media affects your personal injury case:
The Defense Team Can Use it Against You
It is a wise decision to stay off social media completely during your ongoing case, due to the fact that the defense team may try to use your content against you. Posts that you may think are harmless can be twisted by the other side as evidence against you. Pictures of you smiling, out with friends or on a trip can be presented in a way that makes you appear to be faking your injury or the extent of your trauma. While none of this may be grounded in fact, it is best to avoid the situation all together and not make posts during your ongoing case.
Your Confidentiality is at Risk
Courts do not believe that your social media is private, and accept anything you post on the internet as evidence. If you post something on social media, you have consented the material to the public and it can be used against you in a court of law. If you are working towards a settlement, it is especially important to not discuss matters on the case online, since there are common clauses in settlements which forbid any discussion of the ongoing case. If you comment on your situation, post photos of your injuries, mention the names of the opposing party or discuss the settlement money, you’re at a higher risk of losing the case.
You Shouldn’t Delete Content
Even if you have posts online that you don’t want shared with the court or if you make a post you regret throughout your case, we recommend not deleting anything once it’s public. As previously discussed, social media posts can be used as a form of evidence and should be treated with equal importance. Deleting or disposing of evidence can be detrimental to your case. Not to mention, even “permanently” deleted content can be recovered using new-gen forensic recovery methods. Our lawyers can create a plan to deal with your existing content, but we recommend not adding anything new or erasing anything old during the duration of your personal injury case.
Your Mental State May Decline
It is proven that being on social media too much can affect your mental health in a negative way, and this is especially true when you’re dealing with the stress of a court case. Seeing everyone continue to post fun events and trips may make you even more upset during an already stressful time. This is another reason we recommend to stay off all social media platforms, so you’re at your healthiest, both mentally and physically during your case.
Now that you know how social media can affect your personal injury case, you can make the necessary changes on your platforms to benefit your case. Do you have any more questions about how to proceed with a personal injury case? Contact our lawyers and let us help you take the first step today!
