Social media has become an integral part of many of our lives. If you have been injured in an accident and making a claim on an insurance policy, the fact is that the insurance company is very likely going to be monitoring your social media accounts. While there is little you can do about those accounts to date, there are things that you can do about how you post moving forward. The whole of your social media presence tells a story about you, and you do not want that story to interfere with your ability to obtain the compensation to which you are entitled for your personal injury claim. If someone else's negligence leaves you injured, you need the professional legal counsel of an experienced Killeen personal injury attorney.
Tip 1: Give Social Media a Pass (If You Can)
If you are a social media habitué, it may be very difficult for you to step away from your favorite haunts – be they Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, or any other platforms – entirely. If you have a personal injury claim or case pending, however, it may well be in your best interest to do so. The insurance company in question will likely comb your accounts, and its representatives are likely adept at culling valuable information from posts (whether that information is true or not). The problem is that it then becomes your burden to prove that their interpretation is incorrect. Avoid the hassle and skip social media for the duration. If this simply is not something you feel capable of doing, there are other tips that may help.
Tip 2: Do Not Discuss Your Case
If staying away from social media entirely is not an option, make it your policy not to discuss your personal injury case (or the precipitating accident) at all. Anything you write or any pictures that you post can – and likely will – be used against you. Even if you think the information you provide corroborates your take on the situation, it is in your best interest to keep that information between you and your personal injury attorney. The insurance company is likely motivated to twist your meaning and is accomplished at doing so.
Tip 3: Watch Out for Other Content
Do not kid yourself that posting about a seemingly unrelated event could not possibly affect your personal injury case. A picture of you hoisting a beer stein at an Oktoberfest celebration, for example, could be misconstrued as evidence of your drinking problem (regardless of having no basis in reality). Again, you are better off not posting at all, but if you must post, carefully consider your content.