How Social Media Can Affect a Personal Injury Settlement

If someone else’s negligence leaves you injured in an accident, you can seek fair compensation through a personal injury claim. It’s important to know, however, that the insurance company handling your claim is in the business of making money and will do what it can to limit your settlement. In fact, they will be very interested in everything you have to say, and this includes what you post on social media. A better strategy is to allow an experienced personal injury attorney at Mette Law in Harrisburg, PA, to speak on your behalf from the start.

Why Your Words Matter

As mentioned, the insurance company that you file your claim with is a for-profit enterprise. In response, it will use every tool at its disposal to keep your settlement as low as possible.

Allow Your Lawyer to Speak for You

One of the tools the insurance company will turn to is your own words. In fact, you can count on them skillfully twisting your words into meanings that support their position. This is why you’re advised to leave the talking to your knowledgeable personal injury lawyer. This includes making an initial statement on your behalf and engaging in skilled negotiations with the involved insurance company as your claim proceeds.

Don’t Forget about Social Media

One place that too many claimants forget to hold their tongue is on social media. Posting a bit here or there while your claim is pending may not strike you as significant, but you might be surprised by the negative impact it can have. You’re much better off simply taking a break from social media until the matter is behind you.

Social Media Can Be a Goldmine of Information

People have a lot to say on social media, and we take most of it with a grain of salt. Posting on social media allows us to get involved and stay connected, and most posts are a bit glossier than real life. This is fine when your audience is those who know you well or those whom you want to know better. When the insurance company handling your claim is doing the reading, however, it is an entirely different matter.

Ultimately, the insurance company is going to put considerable effort into interpreting your posts from their own viewpoint, and you can expect them to be good at it. Consider the following examples of how they may use your posts to weaken your claim:

• Finding ways to demonstrate that your posts contradict your claim, such as with pictures of you smiling, laughing, or sharing a celebratory drink or meal with loved ones
• Undermining your credibility by taking your words and even pictures out of context
• Focusing on anything you may have to say about the accident itself, which could inadvertently share information that goes on to damage the legal strategy driving your claim

It should also be noted that, regardless of how robust you think your privacy settings are, they don’t really mean much when it comes to personal injury claims. A better plan is simply not posting for the time being.

Our Experienced Personal Injury Lawyers are in Your Corner

Our reliable Harrisburg personal injury attorneys at Mette Law are well prepared to take the actions necessary to help you obtain an advantageous claim resolution, which includes guiding you smoothly through the challenging legal process. Learn more by contacting us online or by calling our firm at 717-232-5000 today.