Social media is a major part of everyday life for millions of people. Approximately 70% of adults in the US report using social media, and 49% use it daily. While the dangers of social media for the general public are a highly debated topic, the risks of using platforms like Facebook, X, TikTok, and Instagram during your personal injury case are considerable. 

Digital evidence, like social media posts, can be used in Georgia personal injury cases as long as it’s relevant and authentic. There are exceptions, of course, but it is better to take extra precautions to avoid having your social media content used against you. 

Dos and Don’ts of Social Media During a Personal Injury Claim

Even seemingly unrelated or innocent posts can come back to haunt you. Anyone with chronic illness or recovering from an injury understands that the good days you post online don’t negate the struggles you don’t post about. However, those isolated moments could be dangerous for your injury claim.

What You Should Do

• • Make Your Profile Private: Changing your settings to allow only the people you choose to see your content can reduce some of the risks associated with posting publicly. However, because some people have hundreds or thousands of connections, followers, and friends online, there is still the chance that what you post could be seen by insurance companies or attorneys for the other side.

• • Think Twice About Posts: Make sure that nothing you post contradicts any statements you’ve made about your injuries or accident. Choose your posts carefully to ensure that you don’t say or show anything that could damage your claim.

• • Limit Mentions and Tags: It’s also a good idea to ask family members and friends not to tag you in their posts. Your best friend’s picture of you at their birthday party, for example, could be used by the opposing party to suggest your condition is less severe than you claim. 

What You Should Not Do

• • Don’t Accept New Friends or Followers: It may seem extreme or overly cautious, but new friend requests from people you don’t know could be a trick to gain access to your content.

• • Don’t Post Anything About Your Injury Case: Do not post anything about your accident, injuries, or ongoing claim or legal case. Keep the details to yourself and avoid posting anything about this.

• • Don’t Delete Posts or Profiles: It may seem like deleting your social media accounts or posts altogether is the safest bet, but this can potentially cause additional legal issues. 

Perhaps the most important thing you can do to protect yourself online and build a solid case is to contact a personal injury attorney. The CP Law Group is here to help, and we are happy to answer any questions you may have about your personal injury case. Call us at 844-546-4878 (that’s 844-5-IM-HURT) or reach out on social media to @TheCPLawGroup to schedule a free consultation.