Mistakes that Could Ruin a Personal Injury Claim
Posted Thursday, October 11, 2018 by Chris Thayer
If you are filing a personal injury suit because of injuries that were sustained in an accident, the opposing side, or insurance company, will be looking into the validity of the claim. The defense and their insurance companies are determined to discredit your claim in an effort to minimize the amount of damages they will need to pay. You might think that the only factors that will be examined are those of the accident or injury in question. However, opposing parties will look into every aspect of your life possible to discredit or disprove the claim. The following are mistakes that could ruin a personal injury suit.
Social Media
Studies show that nearly 77% of people in the United States have some type of social media profile. This is not surprising in a world of smartphones and technology being readily available. What most people do not realize is that what is posted on social media can derail a personal injury suit quickly. It may be in your best interest to deactivate your social media profiles during the life of the lawsuit, but if that is not an option, be cautious in your use.
You might be wondering how social media can affect a personal injury case. If you are filing a personal suit claiming than an accident has limited your mobility, but then post pictures of yourself engaging in physical activity, your claim could be at risk. The social media post directly conflicts with the personal injury claim. If you are going to continue to use social media, here are some tips to keep in mind.
- Do not discuss your personal injury suit: It is imperative that you do not discuss your personal injury case, or the accident that caused it, on social media. There is always the potential that the people you discussed the case with could be called as witnesses. Something that is seemingly innocent could turn out to be highly detrimental.
- Check your privacy settings: Regardless of a social media platform’s privacy terms, it is a good idea to have the mindset that everything you post might not be completely private. The post might not be visible for defendant personally, but there is no guarantee that the social media post will not be shared with them. Along the same lines, if you receive friend requests from people you do not know during the course of the case, refrain from accepting those requests. It could be the defendant trying to access your social media profile.
If you are considering filing a personal injury suit, choose an attorney with the experience to achieve the best results possible given the circumstances of the case. The personal injury attorneys at Pivotal Law Group can provide excellent representation and answer your questions about what might be harmful to a personal injury case. Contact us today for a free consultation.
(image courtesy of Fabian Grohs)