Social media websites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok have taken an important place in our lives nowadays. Although these platforms provide opportunities to interact with others and share life milestones, they can also create problems if you are a party to a personal injury matter. You have to understand how social media can influence your injury or wrongful death case if you are going to be able to protect your rights and get the money you need as described by Des Moines personal injury lawyer. Below is a more detailed explanation of how social media activity can impact your personal injury case in Des Moines.
1. Social Media and Its Impact on Personal Injury Cases
- Evidence Collection: Insurance companies and defense attorneys often review social media profiles to find posts that may contradict your claims of injury. They can also argue that your injuries are not as serious as you claim by citing social media posts, photos, and videos.
- Public Perception: The things you post on social media can create a positive or negative public opinion, which includes the jury, judge, and opposing counsel. Even innocent posts can be misinterpreted and used against you.
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2. Common Social Media Pitfalls
- Accident-Detailed Posting: Do not post anything about the accident, your injuries, or even how your case is proceeding. These posts can provide the information to be used by the defense against you.
- Photos and Videos: Photos and videos are even more harmful. For instance, if you were to post an image of a day out where you appeared happy and relaxed, the other party could leverage that picture against your case and claim that the injuries are not as serious as alleged despite doing completely different activities that did not affect your injury.
3. How to use social media during a personal injury claim?
- Limit Your Activity: For instance, you may want to consider completely stepping away from using social media or restricting your activity to prevent yourself from posting something by mistake that could jeopardize your case.
- Privacy Settings: Set your privacy settings to the strictest level possible. But keep in mind that the internet is never really private, and people who are determined to get information out of you may still be able to do it.
- Never Talk About Your Case: Never post anything on social media about any element of your case, including conversations with your lawyer. You should not be talking about these discussions.
- Monitor Tags and Comments: Watch what others say – okay, more in particular: who tags you on photos or comments. Let friends and family know about your situation and ask them not to post anything about what you are doing.
4. The use of social media by lawyers
- Defense Attorneys: To undermine your argument, defense lawyers frequently search for contradictions in your social media posts. To support their argument, they might use anything from location check-ins and comments to images and status updates.
- Plaintiff Attorneys: On the flip side, social media can help your attorney fortify your claim. For example, before-and-after posts that highlight your life before and after the injury will strengthen your case for damages.
The Role of Social Media in a Des Moines Personal Injury Claim Understanding the risks and being proactive about your digital footprint allows you to safeguard your case while ensuring that you have a strong chance at compensation. Talk to your attorney first about what you may or may not post on social media, and remember that once it is out in cyberspace, it can affect your legal case
