Portland injury attorney

How Social Media Can Affect Your Personal Injury Case

If you have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, it can be tempting to share your story on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok. However, your internet activity could have a major impact on your case if you plan on filing a personal injury lawsuit.

Your internet activity could be used against you in court and may even prevent you from recovering a fair settlement. If you are pursuing legal action, it is important to keep details of your situation off social media and be conscious of the content that you decide to post.

Social Media Evidence Can Contradict Your Testimony

When you are filing a personal injury lawsuit, your activity on social media can have a major impact on your case. Although you may want to tell other people about what happened, you might say something that contradicts what you said during your official testimony.

For example, say that you post a video talking about the accident on social media and say that you escaped the scene without any injuries. However, you are later diagnosed with a concussion. If you try to recover compensation for your injury, this video could be used as evidence that you are not being truthful about your losses.

Check-Ins, Posts, and Comments Can Harm Your Lawsuit

You do not need to post anything directly related to your case for social media to affect your lawsuit. You also do not need to be the person who made the post in the first place. Any internet activity related to you can be scrutinized by the defendant’s legal team and used to disprove the nature and the extent of your injuries.

For example, say that you claim that you have limited mobility, but a friend posts a picture of you taking a hike. Unless you can prove that the picture was taken before the accident, this post could be used as evidence that you are lying about your injuries.

Check-ins to different locations, videos, pictures, and even comments from friends and family members could affect your lawsuit. You want to limit your internet activity as much as possible to avoid any conflicts.

Tips to Protect Yourself on Social Media

As a general rule, you should avoid posting about the accident or your injuries while you are pursuing a personal injury lawsuit. To protect yourself on social media, follow these tips:

  • Do not accept any friend requests from people you do not know. Before accepting a request, visit the profile to ensure that it is legitimate. If you are suspicious, deny the request.
  • Do not tag yourself at any location or allow your friends to tag you in pictures, videos, or statuses. Some social media platforms allow you to approve any tags before they are posted to your profile.
  • Do not make any posts or provide any updates about your injuries on social media. Keep this information private. 
  • Do not talk about your conversations with your attorney on social media. Likewise, you should not make any statements about your case until your lawyer tells you it is safe to do so.
  • Check your privacy settings and limit who can see your posts. Try not to post anything publicly during your case. 

When you are pursuing a personal injury lawsuit, a lawyer can protect your interests and help you avoid any actions that could harm your case. After your accident, consult with a Portland personal injury lawyer to discuss your lawsuit.