How Social Media Can Impact Your Personal Injury Claim

At SilverOak Solicitors, we are aware of how social media now permeates everyday living. It’s a terrific approach to remain in touch with your relatives and buddies. On the other hand, what you post online could greatly affect the result of your personal injury claim. Here’s what you need to know to guard your claim and stay clear of possible mistakes.

Social Media: A Public Window

Users of social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (previously Twitter) let friends and followers view updates and images. Yet, you need to remember that most of what you post is public and can be considered crucial evidence against you unless you have strict privacy settings that restrict anyone from going through your profile unless approved by you.

Defendants and their legal teams often scour claimants’ social media profiles to verify the information provided during the claim process in recent years. If posts contradict the proof you have supplied therefore casting doubt on the basic integrity of the claim, even apparently benign posts can be used against you.

The Risk of Misinterpretation

Social media often presents a more polished image of your life, which underlines how different daily reality is from what you show there. Defendants might see these posts differently, too, contending that your social media conduct does not fit the injuries or restrictions detailed in your lawsuit.

Your credibility could be called into question, for instance, if you say your injuries have limited your capacity to work or pursue interests but your social media shows you engaging in activities that suggest otherwise.

The Consequences of Dishonesty

In case the defendant feels that your claim does not match your social media activities, they could ask the court to reject your case totally. Worse, you could have to cover the defendant’s legal expenses in addition to your own.

Dishonesty can take various forms, such as:

• Claiming you are injured and unable to perform some physical exercises, you upload pictures implying differently.
• Posting items that show a way of living incompatible with the challenges your claim describes.

While some claimants could purposefully lie, others might just offer aspirational or idealised material. Whatever the intention, these postings could seriously weaken your case.

Criminal Implications of Misrepresentation

When basic dishonesty is clear-cut, courts take a strong stand. Those found to be misleading the court could suffer greatly, including maybe criminal prosecution. The effect on your claim could be disastrous even if the dishonesty was accidental.

Protecting Your Claim: Think Before You Post

Think about these important pointers to protect your personal injury claim:

• Review privacy settings on your social media accounts to restrict public access to your postings.
• Be Aware of Posts: Steer clear of distributing images or updates that would contradict the specifics of your assertion.
• Ask friends and family not to post about your activities; defendants may also check their accounts for information about you.
• Review your friend list to ensure your social media activity is visible just to the people you wish to be sharing your personal life with.
• See Your Personal Injury Solicitor: See your legal representative for guidance on what is safe to post online if you are not sure.

Honesty Is the Best Policy

With SilverOak Solicitors, we always advise our clients to be transparent and truthful throughout their personal injury claim process. The majority of claimants are honest, but even unintentional discrepancies can lead to complications. Considering your social media activities will help you avoid pointless difficulties and guarantee a seamless case.

Personal Injury Solicitors Can Help

SilverOak Solicitors is here to assist you should you or someone you know get hurt and be thinking about a personal injury claim. Either fill in our online enquiry form or contact us now at 020 8678 for a free consultation; one of our advisers will be in touch to address your issues.

Your claim calls for careful handling and a professional demeanour. Let us assist you in getting the compensation you are due.

To learn more about how negotiations occur in a personal injury claim, read  What You Need to Know About Personal Injury Negotiations