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In the age of social media, it's not uncommon for people to post about their car accidents online. Whether it is to warn others about a particularly dangerous intersection or to vent about the other driver's negligence, many people feel the need to share their experiences with the world. However, what they may not realize is that insurance companies can and will use these posts against them in order to minimize their payouts.
Insurance Companies Are Looking At Your Social Media
After being involved in a car accident, you may be tempted to post about the accident on social media. However, before you do, it is important to understand how this could affect your insurance claim.
Try to Disprove Your Injuries
Even if you did not post about the accident immediately after it happened and only mentioned your injuries in passing, an insurance company could still try to use your social media posts against you.
For example, if you posted photos of yourself participating in physical activities like hiking or running shortly after the accident, an insurance company could argue that your injuries must not have been severe if you were able to engage in such activities so soon afterward.
Negate Your Emotional Distress
If an insurance company suspects that a claimant is not as emotionally distressed as they claim to be, they may look at the claimant's social media account in order to look for evidence that contradicts the claimant's statements.
For example, if a claimant says that they are too anxious to leave their house, but their social media shows them out and about regularly, the insurance company may use this as evidence that the claimant is not as distressed as they claim to be.
Argue Against Financial Hardship
Insurance companies may also investigate your social media to argue that your financial hardship is not as serious as you say. For example, if your injuries result in extensive medical bills and you make a benign post while eating out at a restaurant, an insurance company will use this as evidence to support their claim that you are not financially struggling.
Insurance companies will use your social media accounts to see if you have been sharing any information (relevant or not) that they can twist to contradict your claim!
Prove You Caused the Accident
If you are involved in an accident, the insurance company will likely look at your social media accounts to see if there is any evidence that you were at fault. For example, if you were in a car accident and posted on Facebook about how you had been drinking earlier in the evening, the insurance company could use that information to try and prove that you were impaired at the time of the accident.
How to Protect Yourself from Insurance Companies
It is important to take steps to protect your online privacy against insurance companies who only want to use it against you. Be aware of what information you are sharing on social media. Limit the amount of information you share about your activities. Insurance companies will use anything and turn it against you.
Take advantage of the privacy settings on social media platforms. These settings allow you to control who can see your posts and ensure that only your friends and family have access to your personal information. By taking these steps, you can help protect your social media from insurance companies.
Seeking a Car Accident Attorney in Tallahassee, FL?
At Shapiro Law Firm, P.A. we understand the challenges that injured victims of car accidents face. Not only do you have to deal with the pain and suffering caused by your injuries, but you also have to deal with the stress of mounting medical bills and lost income. To make matters worse, insurance companies often try to take advantage of accident victims by offering low settlements or denying claims altogether. Fortunately, our experienced team is here to help.
If you've experienced a car accident that resulted in serious injuries, call us today at (850) 629-7226 or visit us online!