How Social Media Can Impact Your Personal Injury Case in Florida

Social media posts can destroy your personal injury case without you realizing what’s happening. Insurance companies and defense lawyers actively look for anything they can use against you in your social postings. So here’s everything you need to know.

Social Media Posts That Can Harm Your Case

You might think your post is just a harmless memory you’re sharing on your feed. However, you could be feeding the insurance companies the kind of evidence they need to argue that you’re not really injured. They look for:

• Photos showing physical activity when you’ve claimed limited mobility
• Location check-ins at places that contradict your injury claims, like gyms, sports events, or theme parks
• Live or recorded posts discussing your daily activities or health condition
• Comments about the accident or how it happened
• Vacation photos or activity posts that suggest you’re not seriously impacted

A meaningless post you gave zero thought to could be what unravels your case.

Privacy Settings Won’t Protect You

Unfortunately, privacy settings won’t help you, as courts can grant defense teams access to your private social media accounts through legal discovery. Remember:

• Your deleted posts may be found in screenshots and archives
• Appearing on friends’ posts is just as damaging
• Check-ins and event attendance can be traced
• Third-party apps may still have your data

Your lawyer knows how to get ahead of the problem and can work to ensure your online presence doesn’t contradict your claims.

Ways to Protect Your Personal Injury Case Online

To give your case a fighting chance, consider the following:

• Don’t post details about your accident or injuries
• Avoid having discussions about medical treatments or recovery progress
• Refuse to be tagged in photos or check-ins
• Ask family and friends not to post about your condition
• Consult with a lawyer before making any social media decisions
• Consider temporarily deactivating your accounts

Simply think of every post as a potential piece of evidence and exercise caution accordingly.

Don’t Let Your Social Media Activity Harm Your Case

If you’ve been injured in Florida, Shrader, Mendez & O’Connell can help protect your rights and your case. Call (813) 360-1529 for a free consultation.