Humans have adapted so completely to the digital age that few people think twice about posting some of the most trivial – or important – details of their lives on social media. It’s the modern equivalent of chatting with your neighbors over the back fence or talking at the office water cooler.
However, you need to reevaluate your social media habits when you have a personal injury claim in process. Laying low on social media may feel strange, but it could be the most effective way to guard your case.
Social media is an insurance investigator’s favorite hunting ground
Once upon a time, if an insurance company wanted to deny or devalue someone’s claim, they might hire an investigator to follow the plaintiff around and look for “evidence” that they were lying about their injuries. Today, investigators may just hop online and dig around an injury victim’s social media accounts for the same purpose.
What are they looking for? Anything that can be used to suggest that your injuries aren’t really as severe as you claim or content that can be used to damage your credibility. Even the most innocent posts can be twisted against you or taken out of context.
For example, if you say that you are in chronic pain and hardly able to walk, a photo of you smiling at your daughter’s wedding or a video of you taking a few careful steps unassisted during the ceremony can be used to suggest that you aren’t really in that much pain. Even “check-ins” at various locations can be used to suggest that you aren’t so hurt that you can’t get around and enjoy your life.
Ideally, you should just stay off social media entirely until your claim is settled. If you’re unwilling to go that far, at least crank up your social media privacy settings to the highest levels and stop posting any personal details about your activities or life until the case is over.