A person uses a tablet to browse images, while a laptop displaying a personal injury claim webpage is open in the background on a round table. The scene suggests multitasking or working with multiple devices.

How Social Media Can Affect Your Personal Injury Claim

Social media is a great tool for connection, but it can inadvertently be used against you if you’re pursuing a personal injury claim. If you’re considering filing, PK Simpson urges you to be extremely careful about what you post online, as it could affect your case.

More than 70 percent of people who have access to the internet frequently use popular social networking sites. If you want to know what’s happening in anyone’s life, you don’t need to call or text them. All you need to do is go to one of their social media profile pages, and you will get all the information you need. Yes, everyone’s life has become a lot more public than it used to be.

While this openness might be great for keeping in touch with friends and family, it can cause serious problems if you’re pursuing a personal injury claim.

How Can Social Media Affect Your Claim?

Defense lawyers and insurance companies will look at your social media profiles to find evidence that contradicts your injury claim. They’re looking for photos, posts, or activities that suggest you’re not as injured as you claim to be.

Some examples of posts that could hurt your claim include:

  • Photos of you engaging in physical activities if you’ve claimed physical limitations
  • Posts about traveling or being active if you’ve claimed mobility issues
  • Images showing you at work if you’ve claimed inability to work
  • Posts that contradict your claimed emotional state or mental health impacts

Protecting Yourself

If you’re considering filing a personal injury claim, here are some important steps to take:

  • Review and tighten your privacy settings on all social media platforms
  • Think carefully before posting anything that could be misinterpreted
  • Ask friends and family to be mindful of what they post about you
  • Consider taking a break from social media during your claim process
  • Never discuss your case or legal proceedings online

If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, contact PK Simpson on 1300 757 467 to discuss your potential claim and learn how to protect your interests throughout the process.