How can social media impact my car accident claim?

On Behalf of | Jan 17, 2021 | Motor Vehicle Accidents |

Social media is an important aspect of life for many people. You probably find yourself posting to your accounts several times a day or week. While social media is a useful and exciting way to communicate with your friends, family and loved ones, it can also cause complications if you overshare right after a car accident. 

It might not seem like social media activity can affect car accident or personal injury claims. However, the information you post online could come back and take a nice little chunk out of your settlement. 

Yes, social media is evidence

Once you post, you cannot take it back. It only takes a few seconds for someone to see and share what you wrote. Any images or posts that others share or comment on your social media accounts are usable as evidence too. As part of their investigations, insurers regularly review their clients’ social media accounts for information they can use as evidence to reduce compensation or deny claims. 

Pictures do not always tell the right story

It might seem as if posting images of the accident scene or your injuries for support from your friends and loved ones can help bolster your accident claim. The photos do not necessarily provide an accurate description of the accident and its outcome, i.e., your property damage or injuries. Also, it is not unusual for dishonest accident victims to alter and create images to share on social media as fake evidence. To weed out fraudulent claims, insurers often look for social media evidence first. 

Preserve the integrity of your car accident claim and right to fair compensation by limiting what you post online.