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The dangers of using social media after an accident

Dec 10, 2018 | Blog, Car and Truck Accident Injuries

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Social Media and the Law, O'Fallon, ILWe’ve published many posts on the dangers of using your cell phone while driving. With smartphones giving drivers unlimited connectivity, texting or checking social media while driving has become alarmingly common. This trend has led to a surge in devastating accidents on Illinois roads. As car accident attorneys in the St Louis Metro East, we wanted to pass this information along to our neighbors.

While you may inherently understand that checking your Twitter feed while driving is a bad idea, you may not realize the negative implications of using social media after an accident. If you were injured due to someone else’s negligence, what you post on social media could prevent you from obtaining compensation.

First, it’s worth understanding that whatever you post online—whether in a private chat forum or on Facebook—remains permanently accessible, even if you later delete it. Second, if you’ve filed a claim against a reckless driver, you should assume that their lawyer or insurance company will monitor your online activity. If they can find evidence that your injuries aren’t as serious as you claim, they will use it against you.

Therefore, it’s important to be especially careful about using social media while your lawsuit is still underway. It’s a good idea to temporarily disable your social media accounts altogether. However, if this option isn’t in the cards for you, then here are some other tips to protecting your lawsuit:

• Never post any comments or updates about your accident or subsequent recovery.
• If you go out, never “check in” to the venue social media. An astute defense attorney would question how you took a trip to Disney World with a back injury, for example.
• Never post any photos or videos of yourself. Any depiction of you engaging in highly physical activity would obviously raise a red flat. But even a selfie in which you appear happier and healthier than you claim could be problematic.
• Talk to your friends and family about the above guidelines, as ask them to follow suit.
• Ensure that no one else tags you in posts that could compromise your case.

We live in a world where much of our lives are now public. However, when pursuing a personal injury lawsuit, maintaining your privacy can pay off in the long run.

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