Many people put their entire lives on social media. However, after a car accident, you may want to think twice.
Before making your next post, you might want to step back. What you share online could seriously hurt your insurance claim or even come back to haunt you in a legal battle.
Insurance companies and lawyers will look for any reason to downplay your injuries or shift the blame. Here is what to avoid posting on social media after a car accident.
Never Admit Fault
After a car accident, many people replay the incident and wonder if they could’ve done something differently. But you never want to share those thoughts online. If you post something like “I never even saw the other car coming!” it can be twisted into an admission of guilt. Even if you think you were partially responsible, keep those thoughts offline.
Don’t Talk About the Details of the Crash
When you are frustrated, you might want to share a play-by-play of what happened. However, the more details you post, the more opportunities there are for your words to be used against you.
For example, if you state something like, “I wasn’t even going that fast,” the insurance company might see that. In that case, they could argue that speed was not a factor. In turn, any injuries you claim to have suffered must not be serious since their client was not speeding according to you. Even the most innocent comments can be taken out of context.
Skip Posting Photos or Videos of the Accident Scene
Posting pictures of your car, injuries, or the accident scene might seem harmless, but it can hurt your case.
If your car looks fine in a photo, an adjuster might argue that the crash was not severe enough to cause real injuries. On the other hand, if you post a dramatic picture of the wreck, they might accuse you of exaggerating the damage to get a bigger payout.
Even a short video or reel could work against you. If you are filming yourself right after the crash and seem alert and mobile, the insurance company might use that to say you weren’t really injured.
Avoid Posting About Your Daily Activities
Even if you have been injured, you still have to live your life. A post on social media can be taken out of context. For example, a picture of you smiling at a family gathering or a check-in at a restaurant could be misinterpreted.
Insurance companies might think that if you are well enough to go out, you must not be that injured. Even if you were in pain the entire time, a single happy looking post could weaken your claim.
Watch out for tags from friends and family. You might want to tell them to skip tagging you in any activity. If the insurance company sees that you are active and moving around, that could cast doubt on the seriousness of your injuries.
Don’t Post Comments or Interact with Insurance Adjusters or the Other Driver Online
If the other driver or their insurance company reaches out to you on social media, ignore them.
Even liking or commenting on a post could be risky. Along with that, you never want to accept new friend requests from people you don’t know. Investigators sometimes create fake profiles to gain access to private posts.
What Should You Do Instead?
For those who are one of the 68% of Americans who use social media, per Pew Research data, you may have to change your ways. If you’re used to sharing everything online, staying silent might feel strange.
However, when it comes to a car accident, the less you post, the better. Instead of posting about the crash, focus on:
- Documenting everything privately: You will want to take photos for your records, write down what happened, and keep track of your medical visits.
- Talking to the right people: Make sure to share accident details only with your lawyer, doctor, and insurance company.
- Taking a social media break: If you’re worried about posting the wrong thing, it might be best to step away from social media until your case is resolved.
Social media is part of everyday life but can do more harm than good after a car accident. Even a simple post can be twisted to make it look like you’re not as injured as you say or that you were at fault for the crash.
You will want to play it safe and reach out to your car accident lawyer. At Shrager, Sachs & Blanco, we are available to discuss your case.
