December 13, 2022

Social Media Mistakes to Avoid after an Accident

Social media has created an incredible gateway into your life. Every time you upload a photo or post an update on any of your channels, you announce to the world that something has changed.

That might not seem like a problem when you do this for good events in your life, but it can cause problems in other situations, like posting about an auto accident with an ongoing investigation.

If you are involved in a crash, do not immediately reach for your phone. Even though you might be tempted to tell everyone what happened and how you feel, you might be making serious mistakes. And these mistakes might hurt any compensation that you seek in the future.

How Social Media Could Hurt Your Claim

When you file a claim with your insurance or the other driver’s, the scene will be investigated to determine fault. Once that is decided, compensation will get distributed, and you want your fair share.

However, the claim could take time as evidence is gathered. And while you might not think your social media could play into your claim’s success, you could be surprised.  

Your Posts Can Be Used Against You

If you post something related to the accident or investigation, and then later the situation changes, you could give the insurance evidence to use against you.

Plus, the other driver could take screenshots of your posts and forward them to their insurance. So, you will need to know what mistakes to avoid on your social media pages.

Avoiding Mistakes on Social Media

If you are in an accident, you want to make sure that you do not do anything that could jeopardize your claim.

Don’t Debate Fault or Apologize

Do not let your emotions take over and go on a rant about who you think should get blamed for what happened.

If you say the other person is at fault and that is proven wrong, everything you say in your claim could get discounted. If you place blame on yourself, this could also reduce your claim’s value.  

Don’t Discuss Your Injuries

Some injuries may seem minor at first but become more serious over time. If you say that you are okay, but later it turns out you need surgery and rehabilitation, the insurance could deny the claim based on the lack of proof of where the injuries came from.

On the other hand, if you make it sound like you are hurt but post pictures of yourself out and about,  your insurance might question your honesty and argue against it.

Adjust Your Privacy Settings

Messing with your privacy settings could raise some eyebrows. Opening them up to the public can be seen as a cry for sympathy. Closing them off can seem like you have something to hide.

Instead of changing your settings, just do not post anything.

Contact an Auto Accident Lawyer in Illinois Today

Insurance companies are good at what they do, especially when it comes to finding reasons not to pay auto claims. And with social media becoming so prolific in the last few years, they have found new outlets to gather evidence and cast doubts about those pursuing compensation.

So, if you need help navigating this landscape and arguing your case, contact Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. Their accident attorneys know how to fight insurance companies when they resort to these tactics and get fair settlements for their clients. Call (312) 236-2900 for a free consultation, or send us a message.