Is it OK to post about my accident on social media?
It is only second nature to want to share significant life events on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Social media is how people stay in touch with friends and family. If you were in a serious car accident, one of the first things you may want to do is tell everyone about it over the internet. However, you and other Ohio residents should think twice before sharing the details of your car accident on social media. Too much information has the potential to affect your case.
How can something as simple and seemingly innocent as a Facebook post ruin your personal injury claim, you may wonder? You may think it harmless to talk about your injuries and recovery or to post pictures of the vehicle damage. However, this is information that for now, you should only be sharing with your lawyer and the insurance companies involved.
During a lawsuit, investigators for the opposing side will do what they can to avoid responsibility. They may dig into your social media history for clues that you are not as injured as you claim you are. For example, the following types of posts could be used to show that your accident was not that serious:
- A picture of you smiling from the hospital bed
- Posts about the accident making statements of anger or remorse
- An inspirational or uplifting post that you make to lift your spirits or get your mind off your troubles, which the opposition can use to trivialize your case
While you have an active personal injury investigation and lawsuit, it is wise to stay off social media altogether, as well as to ask your loved ones to avoid talking about it online. You should also consider changing your privacy settings so people who are not on your friends list cannot easily access the details of your life.