Why You Should Avoid Or Minimize Social Media After a Personal Injury

These days, sharing your life online has become second nature. Scrolling, liking, and posting are often daily habits most people don’t think twice about. However, things can change quickly if you’ve been hurt and plan to file a personal injury claim. In those moments, your regular social media activity deserves some extra attention. It’s essential to pause and learn why it matters to be extremely cautious with what you share. Understanding the risks can help protect yourself and your case.

How insurers monitor your accounts

Insurance companies often look at your online activity once you file a claim, and what you share can significantly impact your case. Here’s how insurance companies look at this type of activity:

Watching popular platforms

Adjusters often look for your posts on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, LinkedIn, Snapchat, and Reddit. Even seemingly harmless fitness apps might be watched.

Getting your private data

Social media accounts aren’t as private as people think. If your case goes to court, the insurer’s lawyer may request that you produce relevant social-media content (including private messages) through discovery.

Checking details to build a timeline

Insurance companies go beyond just reading your latest posts. They can analyze your movements and activities by looking at things like tags, locations, comments, who you’re with, and shared photos. Tagging friends or posting from events can build a detailed timeline of your activities.

Carefully consider what you share online during any insurance dispute.

Social media posts that commonly hurt claims

What might seem like innocent updates sometimes serve as evidence for insurers looking to undermine your case. Here are examples of content that is often used against claimants:

Pictures and videos

Photos and clips of active events, such as hiking or someone lifting a child at a birthday party, can be used to question just how limited you really are. Insurance adjusters may argue these posts show you’re able to do things that you claim you can’t.

Looking happy in group photos

A group photo or a picture of you smiling can be displayed as proof that you must feel fine emotionally or physically. Photos rarely give an accurate picture of pain levels, but that doesn’t stop insurers from using these images as proof to the contrary.

Checking in and traveling

Tags that show you at restaurants, theme parks, or out of town may become evidence that you can travel easily, despite mentioning trouble with mobility or pain in your personal injury claim.

Making jokes

Making jokes online about the incident can be taken the wrong way. That might be how you deal with difficult times, but insurance companies can spin it to argue that you aren’t struggling.

Talking about money

Discussing hopes for a big settlement or mentioning being angry about all the bills you’re dealing with from the accident can be problematic. This gives insurers a way to accuse you of exaggerating your case to gain financially.

Admitting anything or apologizing for the accident

Even a quick comment like, “I should have been paying closer attention,” can be used to shift the blame to you. Simple statements get taken out of context and hurt your claim.

Every little detail you post may get collected and picked apart in ways you never considered.

Best practices to protect your legal case

If you’re pursuing a claim or lawsuit, what you post on social media matters. Insurance companies and defense lawyers are good at finding and using anything you share online. As soon as you meet with attorneys, you should disclose what social media accounts you have so that they can appropriately advise you on how they should be handled going forward. Here are some good steps to take while your case is active:

Pause all posting until your case is over

The safest choice is to stop posting entirely until your legal matter is settled or resolved. Online posts, even those in private settings, may become admissible evidence. However, depending on the nature of your account and posts, after speaking with your attorney, limited posting may still be acceptable though it is important to make sure your accounts are set to private.

Check privacy settings and older posts

Update your privacy settings on all your accounts. Double-check what you have posted in the past. Avoid public tagging, disable location tools, and review what others post about you, including photos. Turn on manual approval for tags if your platform allows it. If you are unsure on how to make your accounts private, ask your attorney so they can assist you.

Communicate with friends and family

Ask your friends and family not to post about you or your activities. Let them know this is to help you, not to shut them out. If something about you goes up anyway, untag yourself as soon as possible and ask for it to be taken down if you’re comfortable.

Don’t talk about your case, even in private messages

Never post about your accident, medical care, doctors, pain, or anything related to your lawsuit. Avoid sharing updates through direct messages, even with close friends. DMs aren’t as private as you might think.

Be cautious of new followers and online connections

During an active personal injury case, be selective about who can see your public posts. Defense lawyers and their investigators may browse your public social media activity. While lawyers can’t use deception or contact you directly about your case if you’re represented, you may want to limit access to your profiles.

Don’t delete posts without talking to your lawyer

Deleting posts could get you in trouble. It might look like you’re hiding evidence, which hurts your credibility and your whole case. Check with your personal injury lawyer before removing anything that’s already been posted.

Think like you’re on the witness stand

Use this rule: if you wouldn’t want to explain a post to a judge, don’t upload it. Treat every photo, comment, or like as if it could end up in a legal file or courtroom projector.

Your online habits have more impact than you might expect. If you have any concerns, speak with your attorney.

If you’ve been in an accident and are filing an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit in Boston, it’s important to keep all of this information in mind. The best thing you can do is reach out to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to get help with your case. If you have any questions or want to learn more, contact Santoro & Gray today to schedule a free consultation.