Social Media and Personal Injury Suits – When is a good time to stay offline?

If you’re injured in a car accident (or have another basis for a personal injury suit), one of the most important things you can do is to stay off social media until your case is done. Facebook, Twitter, and other social media websites have become almost synonymous with our public images, and for some it’s difficult to imagine life without an online presence.

It’s important to remember that your online presence is not private, a fact pointedly demonstrated in modern discovery requests. It’s become standard for insurance companies and their attorneys to ask for a copy of an injured plaintiff’s Facebook profile, Twitter account, or even Instagram account. For example, if your claim is based on a severe ankle injury, a photo of you at the gym or a status about shopping for the day could be manipulated to hurt your case even when the truth is all you did at the gym was bicep curls or you were wearing a brace while shopping.

As difficult as it might be, it is always better to go inactive online for the duration of your personal injury claim. Your friends will understand, and your attorney will appreciate your foresight!

If you’ve been injured and believe you have a claim for personal injuries, the experienced and professional attorneys at Winslow & McCurry, PLLC can help! Call us at (804) 423.1382 to set up a personal injury consultation.