Improper Social Media Use Can Have A Devastating Impact On A Personal Injury Case
Brian O Sutter
Personal Injury
Everybody seems to have a social media account these days. People utilize Facebook, Twitter, and Google to receive news, stay connected with family members, locate old acquaintances, and allow others to follow along with their daily lives. Businesses use the same methods to advertise and let consumers know what sets their organization apart from the rest. Even government officials like President Trump have turned to social media for communicating with the world. However, at times his tweets have been controversial, and they stir up countless hours of debate between followers. If a person becomes injured in an auto, workplace, or another type of accident, they may be able to seek compensation for their damages. It is usually in an individual's best interest to hire an attorney to deal with the complex Florida legal system. Documents must be obtained from the police department and insurance company to help build a strong case. Additionally, witness testimonies will need to be collected and put on file to achieve the best results. On some occasions, the lawyer will even have to work with specialists to recreate the accident scene. Plus, sometimes, evidence like wrecked automobiles will need to be purchased, so choose a firm with the means and experience to take your case the distance.
Each personal injury case is unique and different. Thus, awarded settlement amounts will vary between lawsuits. The compensation sum is determined by a variety of factors that include but are not limited to...
• The Severity Of The Injury
• The Impact That The Damage Has On One's Life
• Current And Future Medical Expenses
• Loss Of Work
However, to prevent people from having to pay for fraudulent claims, police officers, insurance investigators, and even lawyers are using social media to discredit suits. It is always a good practice to watch the kinds of videos and pictures that you post, but when a person is involved in a personal injury case, displaying inappropriate images may lead to the matter getting dismissed.
An Example Of What Not To Do On Social Media
People involved in car crashes tend to suffer from many types of ailments. They can receive broken bones, lacerations, and brain injuries, as well as, whiplash, paralysis, or other kinds of damages. Unfortunately, numerous individuals have attempted to take advantage of the system over the years with false whiplash or back injuries, so investigators are always on the lookout for suspicious behaviors. If a person is supposed to be on bed rest at home and missing work, obviously, no good will come from them posting a selfie while riding a roller coaster at an amusement park.
It is in a plaintiff's best interest to avoid talking about the case altogether while they are on social media. Comments about money, injuries, or even one's abilities can be taken out of context and cause damage to the claim. For instance, telling a friend that your movements are only somewhat restricted might be interpreted as you are not as hurt as originally thought to an investigator. They will then start digging deeper to find more items that can discredit the case. Schedule a consultation today via our contact us page, or give us a call on the phone, and learn more about the ins and outs of things not to do on social media while you are in the middle of legal proceedings.