Be Careful What You Post: What You Post On Social Media Can Be Used Against You in Your Personal Injury Case

Have you been injured in a car accident, or in a slip and fall accident, or suffered some other injury as a result of somebody else’s negligence? If you have been, and you are in the process of filing a personal injury lawsuit against those responsible, then you are probably very much aware of the harm that has been done to you, and exactly how much the other person or organization is in the wrong. As true as that may be, it is very important for you to keep in mind that even though you are the wronged party in the lawsuit, you still have to pay attention to your own behavior while your case is proceeding to ensure that nothing that you do works against your case. From the things that you say and do in public to the things that you post on social media, the attorneys who are working on behalf of the defendants are looking for any kind of evidence that they can use to show that you have not actually suffered in the way that your lawsuit says that you did. The attorneys at Wallace Law urge you to remember that it is important to be careful about what you post on social media, because it can be used against you in your personal injury case.

If you want a perfect example of how a defendant in a personal injury case can try to prove that a plaintiff suffered no real damage, you need look no farther than the recent case involving ESPN sportscaster Erin Andrews. Andrews filed a lawsuit seeking $70 million in damages against a hotel for allowing a stalker access to her hotel room, and as part of their defense the hotel’s attorneys pointed out that she is extremely successful, and that therefore she suffered no real harm. A similar tactic could easily be taken if a defense attorney comes across photos of you having fun at a party, or dancing, or attending a concert or sporting event when you are claiming that you are suffering pain, or are experiencing anxiety or trauma as a result of your injury. Though your pain may be real, the use of these types of photos has proven to be extremely successful at countering and contradicting the testimony of those who are filing suit.

Though you may think that the things that you post on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter are private because they are meant for your friends’ eyes only, modern technology allows a great deal of access, and this can be used against you in court. Advise your friends not to tag you in any photos or posts, and be mindful of what you are posting yourself during the time that your case is proceeding.

For more information on how to protect your rights, contact the personal injury attorneys at Wallace Law.

Learn more about our Personal Injury services HERE.