What You Should Avoid Posting on Social Media After a Crash

Insurance companies look at your social media accounts during the personal injury claim process for evidence to pay less for your settlement. If you claim you suffered an injury and then post a photo of you going out to dinner, the insurer may argue that your injuries weren’t severe and deny your claim.

During an ongoing case, you must remain cautious about your social media posts and how you present yourself online. Working with an experienced car accident lawyer from Cofman Townsley can help you with your claim after an accident.

Learn what to avoid posting on social media after a crash and how an attorney from Cofman Townsley can help you maximize your personal injury settlement.

What to Avoid Posting on Social Media After a Crash

When you file a personal injury claim after a car accident in Missouri, you seek compensation from the negligent driver’s insurance company. While insurers are legally responsible for paying for damages caused by their policyholder’s negligence, they often try to get out of paying by attempting to prove the claimant is at fault.

To reduce or deny your claim, an insurance company may watch your every move on social media to find a reason not to pay for your injuries. To maximize your chances of fair compensation, consider the following tips for posting on social media after a crash:

Avoid Posting Status Updates or Comments

You should not post any information about your crash, mood, health condition, or treatments during the claim process. For example, an insurance company might interpret your social media post, “I’m having the best day,” as “I’m healthy and don’t have an injury.” Other comments not to make on social media include: 

• Expressions like “just an accident” or “no big deal” when talking about your incident
• Comments on other people’s social media posts, such as wishing a friend a safe trip and hoping to join them for dinner when they return
• Status updates on your injuries, including doctor visits and medications you’re taking to treat your condition
• Replies to your friends’ comments about your health condition, such as “I’m feeling a lot better than before!”

Don’t Post Photos or Videos

Posting photos or videos of your personal life and activities can damage your car accident claim. For example, if you state that you have a broken arm but post a picture of yourself at the gym, the insurer may claim you are lying about your injuries, or they aren’t as severe as your demand letter states.

Avoid uploading videos or photos of yourself while your claim is being decided. Additionally, ask your friends and family not to make posts with you in them until after you and the insurer agree on a settlement.

Never Make Posts About the Case

During your personal injury claim, never post about the case directly. Avoid commenting on your experience of the crash or explaining to your followers what happened.

Don’t post about the other driver, witnesses, or facts of the collision. Avoid speculating what caused the crash or what you or the other driver could have done differently. Do not share your opinion on how authorities or medical providers interacted with you at the scene or after the collision.

Also, refrain from talking about compensation or bragging about how much money you may receive in a settlement. These posts can compromise your case, and the insurance company may argue that your posts indicate acceptance of those terms and limit you to that award amount.

Be Careful with Check-Ins on Social Media

Social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram allow you to share your location and activities with your followers. However, if you claim you suffered an injury that impairs your mobility and then you check in at a fitness center on Facebook, this check-in might contradict your claim.

Refrain from checking in on social media to prevent further scrutiny from the insurance company looking for any conflicting evidence against your claim.

Check Your Privacy Settings

Check your social media privacy settings when filing a personal injury claim. Depending on the platform, you can change the access to private or restrict viewing of your content to people on your friend list.

You can typically change your privacy settings by logging into your account and looking for privacy or privacy settings. If your account is set to public, change it to the appropriate setting to limit who can see your posts.

Despite setting your social media accounts to private, insurers may still be able to see certain posts. The best option is to avoid social media until you resolve your case.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Cofman Townsley

When seeking a settlement for injuries you sustained in a car accident, it’s crucial to avoid posting on social media. Insurance companies may use underhanded tactics like snooping through your posts to find a reason not to pay your claim.

When you contact the skilled auto accident attorneys at Cofman Townsley, we can help you understand how to protect your rights and what to avoid on social media. Our team will investigate your case and help you file your claim for maximum compensation.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and get started on your case. We offer consultations 24/7, so you can access our attorneys at your convenience.