Social media plays a vital role in many people’s lives, so many personal injury victims may not think twice about posting information about their accident and its impact on their lives. They might even think this information will support their San Antonio injury claim. However, insurance companies will try to misconstrue, use, or abuse any information that claimants share online against them, including by:
Disputing Liability
Insurance companies may use statements the accident victim made against them to try to prove their insured was not at fault. For example, the insurance company may use a statement such as “they came out of nowhere” to indicate you were not paying attention, or details about you visiting a restaurant earlier in the day to suggest you were drinking. The insurance company’s primary goal is to save itself money by denying and undervaluing as many claims as possible. If it can find some way to blame you for the accident, it will.
Questioning Your Credibility
Insurance companies may also use information you share online to try to challenge your credibility. For example, if you make a statement about the accident that is later contradicted by statements you make in depositions or courts, the insurance company may imply you are lying or that you don’t really know what happened and are an unreliable witness.
Disputing the Severity of Your Injuries
Insurance companies may also try to use your social media posts and pictures to show you were not seriously injured or that you are exaggerating your injuries. After all, if you can post online after the accident, you must be okay, right? Even if someone asks you an innocent question such as, “How are you?” and you respond with, “Fine,” the insurer may try to use this simple exchange as evidence against your claims that your injuries are serious.
Denying Non-Economic Damages
While medical bills and lost wages may be easier to prove, you may have the right to recover compensation for your pain and suffering, emotional distress, and lost quality of life. However, insurance companies may try to deny these non-economic damages, pointing to pictures of you smiling, location check-ins, or “I’m fine” statements.
Getting an Inside Look into Your Case
Some personal injury victims may post information about things related to the case or what their San Antonio accident lawyer has said. This can be a big mistake as it waives attorney-client privilege and gives the insurance company an inside look into the details of your case.
Talk to a Lawyer Before Posting Anything Online About Your Accident
Often, the best way to avoid having your social media used against you is to refrain from using it at all while your legal claim is pending. An experienced Lyft accident lawyer in San Antonio can give you legal advice about the best practices for using social media while your personal injury claim is pending. Insurance companies may be able to subpoena your social media records regardless of your privacy settings. Experienced car accident lawyers are familiar with the tactics insurance companies use to discredit victims and can advise you accordingly.
If you were injured in an accident that was someone else’s fault, contact George Salinas Injury Lawyers today. We can discuss your legal rights and options during a free consultation.