Does the Insurance Company Check Your Social Media?
You also need to avoid making any mistakes that can compromise your personal injury case. The Atlanta personal injury law firm Hall & Lampros, LLP can be your voice and keep you from making any unforced errors that can cost you money.
Posting publicly about your accident is one of the biggest mistakes that you can make in a personal injury case. Even if the insurance company does not monitor your posts in real-time, they almost always have the ability to see what you are saying. When in doubt, it is always better not to say it when you have a pending claim or lawsuit.
Call the Atlanta personal injury attorneys at Hall & Lampros early in your case, so you can benefit from the advice of an experienced attorney. It is always better to get help than to be left to your own devices.
Resist the Temptation to Post About Your Accident
You may be tempted to post about your accident and how you are doing on social media to keep friends and family informed. If you intend to file a claim, or you already have one underway, it is not a good idea to say anything publicly. You must always assume that the insurance company is watching. Even if they are not checking your social media posts, know that they may have the ability to do so if necessary.
Insurance companies are notorious for hiring investigators to keep tabs on you during the claims process. In some cases, private eyes can tail you when you leave your home. The insurance company is looking for information that they can use against you, especially when your claim involves a large amount of money. They are looking for any evidence that is inconsistent with what you may have said in your claim.
Posting Can Contradict Your Claims About the Accident and Your Health
First, you should not post anything about the accident on social media right after it happened. As much as you want support from your family and friends, social media is not the right forum. You may say something about what happened that could eventually be used against you. Your recollections could be hazy In the moments and days after the accident. Eventually, you may say something else that is different from what you posted right after the accident. The insurance company may try to twist your words around or take them out of context. Even saying something as simple as “I’m ok” after the accident could be spun to the insurance company’s advantage.
Second, you should post minimally while your legal claim is pending. Your claim would include various statements about your health as the basis for what you are seeking in damages. If you post pictures on social media of you enjoying activities, it could undercut your claim that you are depressed and anxious after the accident or are no longer able to enjoy the life that you did beforehand. Once you put something out there into the public realm, you lose all control over what happens to it.
The Insurance Company Can Always Watch
Never assume that the insurance company does not have access to your posts. Even if you have your settings on private, there is still a way for the insurance company to view what you have said on social media. If your case ever goes to court, the insurance company may request your old social media posts during the discovery process. They may even be able to see posts that you deleted in the past. Although you should certainly set your profile to private, do not assume that it would give you license to post whatever you want.
Remember that you could also face repercussions if you make false statements on an insurance claim. Your social media posts could give the insurance company the ammunition it needs to come after you. The claims process may be a time when you should either take a break from social media entirely or be extremely careful about what you post.
You should always contact a personal injury law firm as soon as possible after your accident. Your lawyer could keep you from making some of the common mistakes that accident victims make, including saying too much or anything at all. A personal injury attorney would be the sole point of contact with the insurance company, and they would serve as your spokesperson.
Call an Atlanta Personal Injury Attorney Today
Begin the legal process by scheduling a free initial consultation with the Atlanta personal injury lawyers at Hall & Lampros. You never pay us unless you win your case. To speak to a personal injury lawyer in Atlanta, you can reach out to us online, or you can call us today at 404-876-8100.
Chris has successfully represented numerous clients in catastrophic personal injury, employment law matters, class action, consumer protection, business tort, and legislative matters involving multi-million-dollar damages.