Social media posts can hurt your Florida personal injury claim in many different ways, including by giving the insurance company material to use against you. The insurance adjuster could all too easily use your posts to argue that you were not badly hurt or that their client did not cause your accident.
It is a good idea to consult ourFlorida personal injury lawyers right away after an accident, preferably before you post anything to social media. We can tell you all you need to know about social media and personal injury claims in Florida.
How Social Media Affects Injury Cases in Florida
On social media sites like Instagram, TikTok, and Bluesky, the temptation to overshare is often very strong. Saying too much can hurt your Florida personal injury claim because:
- Insurance companiesfrequently monitor the social media accounts of accident victims.
- Insurance adjusters are looking foranything that seems to contradict the information in your personal injury claim.
- For example, a photo of you looking happy or performing physical activity could betaken out of context to “prove” that you were not that badly injured.
- Another example: If you attempt to explain how the accident happened on social media, and if that explanation does not perfectly match statements you gave to the police or the insurer, then your posts could be taken as “evidence” thatyou have changed your story and are hiding something.
Understate law, the insurance company does not have to pay as much if the accident victim is partly liable for their injuries—and, in some cases, they might not have to pay at all. This is why insurance adjusters are constantly on the lookout for anything they can use to undermine your credibility and undervalue your injuries.
How to Avoid Social Media Mistakes After an Accident
Our Florida personal injury lawyers can provide advice and guidance about what to say (and not to say) on social media. Depending on your situation, we might:
- Recommend you avoid all social media until your case is closed
- Suggest deleting social media apps or locking yourself out of your accounts, if only temporarily
- Advise you not to friend anyone new—they might be working for the insurer
- Work with you to draft social media posts, if you need or want to use social media to inform friends or relatives about what happened
If you have already posted since the accident, please tell us right away. Even if the posts do not mention your injuries, the insurer could still find a way to use them against you.
You Should Also Watch What You Say Outside of Social Media
The insurer will not stop at monitoring your social media accounts. Anything you say in any situation could affect your claim. Protect yourself by:
- Not speaking to them alone. Ifthe insurance company contacts you, tell them to get in touch with your lawyer and let us know about the communication at once.
- Preparing for depositions. You might have to sit for an interview with the other party’s insurer or lawyer. We can tell you what to expect and how you should answer their questions.
- Not accepting the first offer. Insurers often make lowball settlement offers, so let your representative review all offers first.
- Not speaking about the accident. Only your legal team needs to know every detail of what happened. If anyone else asks, say that your lawyer has advised you not to say anything while your case is in progress.
The insurer will also look for technical mistakes they can use against you. For example, you generally havetwo years to file a lawsuit. If you wait too long and file late, the insurance company is sure to notice and try to get your case thrown out.
Let Our Personal Injury Attorneys Worry About the Insurance Company
Knowing that a single wrong move, even an accidental one, could derail your entire claim is overwhelming, even frightening. But you do not have to let that stop you from taking full advantage of your rights.
Our lawyers help people like you to better understand your rights and responsibilities after an accident. With us on your side, you would:
- More easily avoid common mistakes, like posting on social media in a way that hurts your personal injury claim
- Not have to handle any legal task on your own: we take care of everything, from filing paperwork to negotiating a settlement
- Have more time to focus on planning for your future, spending time with loved ones, and receiving medical care
While the insurance company is looking for ways to undermine your claim, we are here to champion your rights as you pursue fair damages.
We Can Help With Your Florida Personal Injury Claim
The Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato understands all of the obstacles you might face when seeking damages, including how social media posts can hurt your Florida personal injury claim. We also know how to avoid these challenges. Call (844) 643-7200 now for afree case review. Ourcompassionate and attentive staff has the experience to handle cases that other firms cannot.