You share your ups and often your downs with hundreds of your closest friends when you post on your Facebook, Instagram or Twitter account. Maybe you like to share your politics or videos of your cat. When you’re filing a personal injury claim, though, you may want to refrain.
Your posts and messages are fair game
Though what you put on social media is likely meant for your friends and family, the opposition in your personal injury case may be able to access them as well. Even if the information was obtained illegally, as long as the evidence isn’t taken illegally by law enforcement, it’s probably still valid in court. This can include posts you share while your account is set on private or even messages you send directly to someone else.
Be careful what you put on the internet
In the wake of an accident, you will need to be very careful with what you put on the internet. Anything that you post or message could become evidence against you. Your opposition will be looking for anything that may suggest that your claims are untruthful. This could be things like going to the gym, which could show that you are not injured, or not as seriously injured as you claim, or having fun with friends, which may suggest that you are not physically or emotionally distressed.
Even when you share things privately, if it’s on the internet, you should assume that it’s not actually private. In some cases, digitally documenting communications or injuries can be helpful to your argument, but you should not share after an accident without consulting your lawyer first.