Injured In An Accident? Here Are 4 Things You Shouldn’t Do On Social Media
Written by Cooper & Friedman PLLC on October 20, 2020
When injured in an accident, the first thing you want to do is update your family or friends. Due
to the accessibility and ease of communication on social media, jumping on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Snapchat to share details about your experience may seem like the best idea at the time. You’ll
surely get fast responses, and plenty of sympathy and support too, when you share details with
friends and family.
However, as personal injury attorneys with decades of experience practicing law in Kentucky
and Southern, Indiana, we know first-hand that any information shared on social media about
an accident can really hurt your case. Though it may be tempting to reach out to your online
followers, we urge you to reconsider. If you are injured in an accident, here are four things you
should not do on social media.
Things To Avoid on Social Media After An Accident Injury
1. Post Photos of the Accident
Photos of your injuries, your vehicle, the other person’s vehicle, or any aspect of the incident
should not be shared. These photos could be found and used against you in court. Furthermore,
your family or friends would respond with seemingly harmless comments such as “are you
okay?” that could be entirely misconstrued. If you respond with a thumbs up emoji or a “yes,
I’m fine”, even though you’re really not, that inconsistency could be used against you! It’s much
better to not post anything at all, as concerned questions will always arise.
2. Post information about the Accident
Much like sharing photos, sharing information, even if seemingly factual, can be used against
you. You may accidentally admit fault, say something biased, or simply wrong. Also, people will
again respond to your post, asking questions. This will prompt you to share additional details or
opinionated responses that could implicate you, even if you’re just trying to be polite or
informative. This also includes posting in online forums, even if you’re seeking medical advice
or treatment options. Any discrepancies between your post and a medical report could
corroborate fault.
3. Delete Information
Posted something you regret? The next worst thing you can do is delete it. This will appear like
you’re withholding information, which can be used against you. Also, it’s best to assume
anything you post has been saved by someone, or still exists somewhere. With this mindset,
you can make much more informed decisions about what you choose to share.
4. Post Unrelated Updates on Social Media
Even if you’re not directly sharing information about the incident, anything you post on social
media can be misconstrued. For example, posting a photo of you working out after you
allegedly sustained an injury can be used against you. Defense attorneys have a legal right to
access any of your social media, whether it be private or public. That means that past posts that
display poor moral or physical character are accessible. If you’ve been checking in at
bars every night for the past week or trolling someone online, it won’t help your case. This is
also sound advice if you are trying to get a job or into a college. Good social media etiquette in
general is important. Remember, nothing is ever really anonymous.
As personal injury attorneys located in Louisville, Kentucky, the Cooper & Friedman law team
has spent decades fighting for the rights of victims injured in accidents. All lawyers at Cooper &
Friedman have achieved Super Lawyer and Rising Star Status which less than 5% of attorneys in
Kentucky qualify for. If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident and are in need
of legal counsel, we can help. Call 502-459-7555 today to set up a free legal consultation with
an experienced injury attorney.