Facebook, Instagram, TikTok…all these platforms and many more have become the norm in modern society. They play a huge part in our daily lives, but can social media affect your commercial vehicle accident claim? Absolutely! Understanding how and why social media influences a truck accident case is crucial for Tampa drivers.
Posts can affect your commercial vehicle accident claims.
After an accident, you’ll likely share information about your injuries and case details with family and friends. Be wary about how you relay that information! Defense attorneys (and insurance companies!) are notorious for undermining your claim by going through your social media accounts with a fine-tooth comb. They’ll scrutinize your posts, photos, and videos. They want evidence to negate your injuries or damages.
For example, an insurance company wishing to avoid a payout could pull a photo of you enjoying a vacation in the weeks following your accident. They’d use this photo to “prove” that you aren’t suffering to an extent warranting compensation. After a commercial vehicle accident, it’s best to avoid putting anything on social media without approval from your attorney or the settlement of your case. When in doubt, call your team at Brooks Law Group, and let’s talk it out!
It’s not just you…it’s your family (and friends) too!
Can social media affect commercial vehicle accident claims?
In addition to your own posts, the posts of your friends and family can impact commercial vehicle accident claims too. You must let your close contacts know that no information is to be shared online as it pertains to you. They should never post about your accident, injuries, or involved parties. What’s more, your contacts should avoid posting photos or videos of you or tagging you in photos or videos until your case is settled. By putting information online, they could unintentionally contradict your claim and, in turn, harm your case. How? Insurance companies (and other parties) can hunt down your coworkers, friends, and even family members via your social media profiles.
Are you brushing off the above warnings because you think your privacy settings will protect your information? Think again.
Privacy Settings Don’t Protect You During Commercial Vehicle Accident Claims
Contrary to many assumptions, setting your social media profiles to “private” does not protect you legally. While the public can’t access your information, courts can subpoena records of your social media usage, including posts, photos, and video content. The only requirements are:
- evidence must be authentic, reliable, and relevant
- evidence must be digitally authenticated
- the disclosure must not unreasonably infringe on privacy rights
What’s more, mutual connections or public comments on private posts can expose information about your condition and activities. Again, it’s crucial that you, and others around you, understand the importance of avoiding social media after your accident and throughout the duration of your case.
Can social media work in my favor after my accident?
While social media has many downsides after an accident, your online profiles can work in your favor. Posts that document your life before the accident, including photos and videos, can showcase the changes you endured after your injuries. Information about employment, hobbies, daily activities, and even involvement as a parent or caregiver are often part of social media engagement. This information serves as evidence to strengthen your commercial vehicle accident claims, as it highlights the extent of the damages caused by the collision and resulting injuries.
Social media is certainly a double-edged sword as it pertains to accidents, claims, and legal cases. Information is often misinterpreted and used against you. Protecting yourself and the outcome of your case starts with reaching out to an experienced commercial vehicle accident attorney as soon as possible after your crash. Brooks Law Group safeguards our claim and your case.
Our experienced attorneys tackle commercial vehicle accident claims across the Tampa area.
At Brooks Law Group, our team is committed to fighting for your best interest. We ensure that your legal rights are protected and that you receive the justice and compensation you deserve following your accident. Our attorneys oversee your commercial vehicle accident claims, standing between you and the insurance companies, opposing parties, and the stress of negotiations. We focus on winning your case, while you focus on healing and recovery after your accident.
You don’t have to worry about expensive legal fees with our firm. Our contingency fee means you don’t pay unless we win, and our free consultations are risk-free to you as you begin the lawsuit process.
With offices in Tampa, Winter Haven, and Lakeland, we’re proud to serve a long list of Central Florida communities with the best legal services. Those injured in commercial vehicle accidents throughout the Bay area trust our team to take care of them when they need it most. If you’ve been in an accident, call us today and get the help you deserve. You can always Look to Brooks.
