Almost all of us use social media to some degree. If you don’t use it yourself, you’re probably aware of how it works and that some people use it as a way to document their lives.
If you’re involved in a life-changing event such as a car accident it can be really tempting to use your social media account to let everyone know what happened. What you might not know, however, is that there are risks that come with doing this. In the worst-case scenario, it can destroy your insurance claim completely.
You can’t control who looks at your account
When you’re pursuing a claim, the insurance company for the other side will carry out an investigation. It may choose to look at your social media accounts to see whether there’s any evidence there to support their case. This is especially useful when liability is disputed and/or it is questioning the severity of your injuries. This process is what’s known as “discovery”.
All information documented on your account(s) can be used against you if the claim then goes to trial. You may be asked to talk about your social media posts in court.
You risk having the legitimacy of your injuries called into question
You shouldn’t have to put your life on hold while your insurance claim progresses. You need to be mindful, however, of how the activities you post on social media could be perceived by a third party.
Even though you are genuinely suffering from pain since your accident, posting pictures of yourself doing strenuous or energetic activities might not be a good idea. It looks like your injuries are less severe than you are claiming.
Insurance companies can be purposefully difficult and are notorious for not wanting to pay out claims. The guidance of an experienced legal professional can help ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
