How Social Media Can Destroy Your Personal Injury Claim

Social media has become one of the most powerful tools insurance companies use to undermine personal injury claims. A single photo, post, or check-in can be used to argue that your injuries are not as serious as you claim, potentially costing you thousands of dollars in settlement value.

How Insurance Companies Use Social Media

Insurance adjusters and defense attorneys routinely search claimants' social media profiles looking for evidence that contradicts their injury claims. They look for photos showing physical activity inconsistent with claimed injuries, posts about travel, events, or activities, check-ins at locations suggesting an active lifestyle, and statements about the accident or your injuries.

Real Examples

A claimant with a back injury posted a photo hiking, which the insurance company used to argue the injury was not serious. A claimant who said they could not work was tagged in photos at a social event. A claimant posted about feeling great, which contradicted their pain and suffering claim.

How to Protect Your Claim

Set all social media profiles to private. Do not post anything about the accident, your injuries, or your claim. Do not post photos of physical activities. Ask friends and family not to tag you in posts or photos. Do not accept friend requests from people you do not know. Do not delete posts after the accident as this could be considered spoliation of evidence.

Conclusion

The safest approach is to stay off social media entirely until your case is resolved. If that is not possible, be extremely careful about what you post.

Use our free settlement calculator to estimate what your case might be worth.