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Suffering injuries in a car accident can be a traumatic experience. For this reason, it is understandable that car accident victims want to share their experiences with family and friends. One of the easiest ways to reach a number of family and friends at one time is by posting a status, photo, or other message on a social media profile, such as on Facebook or Twitter. However, you should be aware that other parties such as insurance adjusters, opposing attorneys, or others involved in your accident may be using information on social media to limit or avoid liability.

Car accident victims may not be aware of the risks of posting on social media following a car accident. This is one example of how the guidance of an experienced auto accident attorney can help you in the wake of an accident. The Atlanta personal injury lawyers at Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC can advise you on what to do and what not to do following an accident to make sure you receive a fair settlement amount.

How can adverse parties use social media posts against you?

Both insurance companies and opposing parties will be seeking to limit settlement amounts in any way possible. This means they will try to gather any information to demonstrate that your injuries are not as serious as you claim. For example, if you state that you have a broken leg, but then change your Facebook profile to show a photo of you riding a bicycle, an adverse party may use that to accuse you of lying about your injury. Additionally, if you are trying to recover lost income from missed work during your recovery, but then post a photo from a past vacation, others may use that photo to claim you did not actually need sick leave. It may not even matter if the photo in question was from months or years ago, as an adverse party may not pay attention to the date on the photo.

Additionally, you may be aware that many people may be worried about your well-being following an accident and you may be tempted to use social media to alleviate their fears in a widespread manner. However, while stating that you are “okay” or “fine” may relieve loved ones, an insurance company or opposing attorney may take such a statement to mean you have not actually suffered injuries. You should always be aware that adverse parties may take a seemingly harmless statement and may twist it to try to avoid liability and limit a settlement agreement. Even if you can later prove your injuries, social media postings may delay your claim.

How to Use Social Media After an Accident

Following an accident, the best practice would be to avoid posting on social media for a while. Also, avoid accepting any friend requests from people you do not know, as they may be aligned with an adverse party. Remember that it is always smart to show restraint on social media during any type of legal claim, and an auto accident claim is no different.

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