Posting on Social Media Hurts Your Car Accident Claim

Posting on social media is second nature for some people in today’s world. Over two thirds of adults and half of teens in the United States use Facebook and over 70% of teens use Instagram. There have been many warnings about social media, especially for younger people. You certainly should be careful about what you post online.

In addition to the concerns about social media, there are other pressing issues that individuals should be aware of. For instance, establishments that serve alcohol have certain responsibilities, and understanding dram shop liability can be crucial. Similarly, it’s essential to recognize the signs of elderly abuse to protect our loved ones. Moreover, incidents like dog bites can have a lifelong impact on an individual’s life, emphasizing the importance of legal awareness in such situations.

But that advice is well taken after a car accident, too. When you suffer injuries in a car accident in Nevada, your first thought should be your safety and well being. Many people, however, make their first thought to post pictures online or post pictures of their activities after the car accident. Both of these scenarios have the potential to completely ruin your car accident injury claim and force you to pay out of pocket for your medical expenses.

The best way to avoid this situation is to think before you post. Another good choice is to work with a trusted Nevada personal injury lawyer to help you maximize your recovery.

Insurance Company Goals

After your car accident injury, the insurance company of the at fault driver may contact you with a low ball settlement offer. It’s a low ball offer because it likely will not cover all of your medical needs. But if you take the offer, the insurance company meets their goal of paying less than your claim is worth.

Another way the insurance company can pay less than your claim is worth is by discrediting your claim. When you post pictures on social media, you can bet the at fault driver’s insurance company is watching you.

Damages You May Lose

After you car accident, you only have two years to file a personal injury claim. Two years may seem like a long time but it goes by quickly when life gets in the way. If your car accident injuries are serious, you may spend a good portion of that time out of work, in the hospital, and undergoing medical procedures. It’s important that you do not delay filing your personal injury claim.

Nevada car accident deaths recently reached a ten year high. While not all car accidents will cause death, many car accidents cause serious and life altering injuries. Some injuries may require you to leave work permanently or to spend time in a rehabilitation center. All of these medical procedures come with high medical bills. The last thing we want is to see you have to pay out of pocket for medical bills to help you recover from an accident you did not cause.

Car accident injury damages are the means by which you recover compensation from the at fault driver. Compensation includes:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Lost wages
• Loss of companionship
• Lost earning potential
• Medical bills
• Rehabilitation costs
• Loss of life enjoyment

When you file a personal injury claim in Nevada, you allege that you suffered harm by the at fault driver’s negligence, recklessness, or carelessness. This means you suffered injuries and your life has been impacted negatively. However, if you post on social media that you are out at a concert, playing sports, or doing some other activity, the insurance company lawyers will spot your posts and use them against you. Don’t ever think your privacy settings are strong enough for them to not see your posts.

Social Media Posts as Evidence

It’s important to understand the steps and great lengths the insurance company will go to reduce your financial recovery. Their goal is to keep money in their pockets and out of yours. Don’t make their job easy.

Other lawyers can use your social media posts as evidence that you have not suffered the injuries you claim. And the worst time for this to come out is at trial. We understand this is a frustrating situation and we know you want to put this experience behind you. That’s why we work aggressively to protect your rights and maximize your financial recovery through settlement negotiations. But sometimes, insurance companies refuse to settle and we have to take them to court to get you the compensation you deserve.

But if you have posted on social media after your accident with pictures or videos that might call into question the extent of your injuries, it could cause your claim to completely fall apart. During the trial, the attorneys for the insurance company might show these images to the jury to show you are not suffering the way you claim. This could cause the jury to award you less than you rightfully deserve.

Don’t let this happen to you. Be smart about your social media posts.

Speak with a Trusted Nevada Personal Injury Lawyer

It can be difficult to not post on social media, especially if your injuries are so severe that you are stuck alone all day in the hospital or at home with nothing else to do. However, it is supremely important that you realize the negative consequences your social media behavior could have on your personal injury claim. Even a single post might reduce your recovery. 

It’s important to remember that it’s not only your posts which could cause trouble. When your friends mention or tag you in posts, if those posts show you engaging in activities that your injuries should prevent, then the insurance company will use that to further reduce your recovery. Not only does working with us allow you access to good advice regarding your social media posts, but it also gives you access to a legal team who has your best interests at heart.

We can work with you to investigate your car accident and help you show the other driver is the reason you suffer today. We can also work hard to settle your case for a fair amount, making sure you don’t end up in financial hardship because of your medical bills. But don’t delay. You only have two years to file your personal injury claim.

Searching for the best accident attorney in Las Vegas? Corena Law is your go-to for expert legal advice and guidance.