How Social Media Can Hurt Your Personal Injury Case
We live in a world where everything gets posted — what we ate for lunch, who we’re with, how we’re feeling, and yes… even what happened after a car accident.
And while I get it — sharing your life is second nature these days — if you’ve filed a personal injury claim or are thinking about it, I need to tell you something straight:
Social media can hurt your case more than you think.
Let me explain how.
1. Insurance Companies Are Watching — Yes, Really
One of the first things insurance companies do when you file a claim is start digging through your social media.
They’re looking for posts, photos, check-ins, or comments that contradict your injuries or suggest your life hasn’t been impacted as badly as you say.
Even something totally innocent can be twisted.
You post a smiling photo at a birthday party?
“They must be fine — look, they’re out enjoying themselves.”
You say “Feeling better today!” in a caption?
“See? Their injury must not be serious.”
They don’t care about context — they care about reducing your payout.
2. What You Post Can Be Used Against You — Even If It’s Private
Setting your profile to “private” doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. In many cases, defense attorneys can legally request access to your posts, especially if they think it contains evidence relevant to your claim.
Once it’s out there, it can be fair game.
3. What About Friends and Family Tagging You?
Yep — that can be a problem too.
If your friend posts a picture and tags you, or checks you into a restaurant or event, that info can be used to paint a different picture of your recovery than the one you’ve described in your claim.
Even if you didn’t post it yourself.
4. What You Should (and Shouldn’t) Do Online During a Case
DO:
✔️ Stay off social media as much as possible
✔️ Set all accounts to private
✔️ Ask friends/family not to tag or mention you in posts
✔️ Talk to your lawyer before posting anything accident-related
DON’T:
✖️ Post updates about your case or medical condition
✖️ Post photos of activities, trips, or workouts
✖️ Comment on posts about your accident or the other driver
✖️ Assume “private” means “invisible”
The Best Policy? Go Quiet While We Fight for You
Look, I’m not saying social media is bad — I’m just saying it’s not your friend during a personal injury case.
The safest move? Take a break. Focus on your recovery. Let us do the talking — to the insurance company, in your paperwork, and in court if necessary.
Your job is to heal. Ours is to protect your case — and keeping a low profile online is one simple way to do that.
If you’ve already posted something you’re worried about, don’t panic. Just call me, and we’ll talk through your next steps.
— Aaron
