How Social Media Can Affect Your Claim
In today’s society, technology has a huge impact on our daily livelihood. We can search for anything online and have answers within seconds. This is especially true for those investigating your claim and browsing through your social media. Not only does your online presence influence your followers, but also gives a fair impression to those who are professionally involved in your life.
When one is involved in an accident, it’s important to remember that anything posted on social media can be used against them in court. Insurance companies will often look through the complainant’s social media accounts to find any evidence that could reduce the compensation they are required to pay out.
Below are some ways social media can affect a person’s car accident claim:
Social Media Comments Can Be Construed as Evidence of Guilt
Social media platforms are a place where people share their thoughts and opinions. If an individual makes any comments about the accident that could be seen as an admission of guilt, it could certainly be used against them in court.
The type of information posted on the social media platform can be detrimental to the status of the case. Explaining the scenario of the accident in detail or posting pictures of the accident may be presented as evidence in court. With that said, pictures and information on social media should be limited and should not include any accident details.
The con associated with this evidence is that it is difficult to prove someone was at fault. It can be hard to prove if the individual was in the correct lane or had struck another on purpose. However, if an examination of the accident reveals that someone did not have a full view of the road at all times, this could be used against them in court. Individuals are highly recommended to be cautious of what and how much information they share online.
Pictures Can Contradict a Story
Lawyers ensure they have all the necessary information to properly defend their clients’ rights, interests and overall case. If a claimant posts a picture of their vehicle after the accident and it contradicts the evidence given or the argument made, the post can be used against the claimant in court. The primary downside of such a situation is that the case can be lost due to contradicting evidence.
Comments from Friends & Strangers Can Hurt an Individual
After one has endured an accident, they’re not the only individuals suffering. Their friends and family can also feel an impact after their loved one has experienced a collision. It’s common for friends to post comments on social media about the accident. These comments can be used against the individual in court as they can be seen as an admission of guilt or an attempt to influence the case’s outcome.
Strangers can also post comments on social media, which could hurt an individual’s case. For instance, if someone posts on how to get away with the accident, this could be used in court as an admission of guilt. Therefore, individuals should avoid posting comments or interacting with others online about the accident.
The Platform Can Reveal an Individual’s Location
In some cases, the location of an individual is admissible in court. For instance, if an individual posts about being at a certain place at the time of the accident, this could be used against them in court. On the other hand, the location after an accident can also play a significant role in the case.
The claimant should be confident in sharing where they have been and what they have done post-accident, but this information should be consistent with their story in every way. This can help improve the case and ensure that an individual does not get into trouble with the law. In the end, it’s best to limit the amount of information and pictures shared online about the accident and avoid interacting with others online about it.
Social Media Can Affect an Individual’s Claim Confidentiality
Confidentiality is one of the important aspects that should be considered by an individual who is making a claim. The claimant cannot discuss their accident claim with anyone, including family and friends. This can be hard for some individuals who want to share their story, but the information about the case must be kept from other’s reach.
This confidentiality helps in protecting the client against any intimidation which could come from other individuals or parties involved in the case. Here, the client must refrain from posting information online about their case. The individual should be aware that anything posted on the media platforms may damage the case.
Someone Else May Have a Claim and Post About it
There’s a possibility that someone else has a claim on the accident. These people are known as “third party defendants.” If these defendants notice something intriguing to their case on social media, it could potentially help them win. The third-party defendant can be anyone from the wrongdoers to the person who caused the accident. This can result in the claimant being held responsible for damaging their case, which will mean they get less compensation or risk not receiving any at all.
Individuals must check for any comments about their accident on social media before proceeding with their case. This is a vital beginning step as the information posted on these social platforms can negatively impact their claim.
The Client Might Victimize the Person Who Caused the Accident
Victim-blaming happens all too often in society, which can seriously affect a claim. With all the finger-pointing and name calling, it’s crucial for the client to be aware of who the true victim is. Often times, those who were at-fault are generally the ones who try and “cry wolf” or place a façade around their true actions. Posting or commenting about the accident and specifying who was at fault may actually land the client in hot water. When the case is still under investigation, it’s best to let your legal representative speak for you in these matters.
The Client May Become a Target of Bullying
Nowadays, these online platforms make it so simple for individuals to call people names and point fingers. It’s all done with a few clicks and swipes. In some cases, an individual could be accused of the accident and become a target of bullying. This type of bullying is known as cyberbullying and can occur from other individuals or parties involved in the case.
The Client May Post with Unknowing Repercussions
Some of the posts may be made without the knowledge or consent of the individual. For instance, if someone has a public profile on social media, their post could be shared or liked by other users. This could result in the individual unintentionally sharing information about their accident, which can be used against them in court.
The power of the internet shouldn’t be taken for granted. With so many platforms and opportunities to showcase all the things pertaining to your life, it can be difficult to stay under the radar. And when you’re under investigation to support your well-deserved accident claim, being careful and under the radar is vital.
Questions on your car accident?
We can help – (855) 559-1225
At JT Legal Group, our 30+ years of combined experience allows us to diligently achieve settlements for our deserving clients. Our office is so confident we can win the best possible result for our clients, that we work on a contingency basis. This means we don’t get paid until we settle our client’s matter. Contact our team today for immediate support.
Your victory starts here.
Click to call us now!
[NOTE:] Attorney Advertising: Nothing posted on this blog is intended, nor should be construed, as legal advice. Blog postings and hosted comments are available for general educational purposes only and should not be used to assess a specific legal situation. Nor does any comment on a blog post create an attorney-client relationship. The presence of hyperlinks to other third-party websites does not imply that the firm endorses those websites, their contents, or the activities or views of their owners.
Media Contact: Jesamine De Leon
[email protected]
(855) 559-1225
