The Impact of Social Media on Personal Injury Claims

June 06, 2024, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

In today’s digital age, social media plays a significant role in many aspects of our lives, including personal injury claims. What you post online can have a substantial impact on your case, either positively or negatively. This blog post explores how social media can influence personal injury claims in Kitchener, Ontario, and offers tips on managing your online presence during a legal case.

 The Double-Edged Sword of Social Media

Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn provide a way to connect with friends and family. However, they also offer a public record of your activities, which can be scrutinized by insurance companies and opposing legal teams. Anything you post can potentially be used as evidence against your claim.

 Examples of How Social Media Can Affect Your Case

Imagine you’ve filed a personal injury claim stating that you have severe back pain and cannot engage in physical activities. If you post photos of yourself playing sports or engaging in strenuous activities, the opposing side might argue that your injuries are not as severe as claimed. Even seemingly innocent posts, such as pictures of you smiling or enjoying an event, can be misconstrued to suggest you’re not in pain or suffering.

 Privacy Settings Are Not Foolproof

While adjusting your privacy settings can help control who sees your posts, it’s not a fail-safe solution. Opposing lawyers can still request access to your social media accounts during the discovery phase of your case. Courts often grant these requests if the information is deemed relevant to your claim.

 Tips for Managing Social Media During Your Case

1.  Limit Your Activity : Consider taking a break from social media or significantly reducing your activity until your case is resolved.

2.  Avoid Discussing Your Case : Do not post about your accident, injuries, or the legal proceedings. This includes avoiding comments on other people’s posts about your situation.

3.  Review Your Existing Content : Go through your past posts and remove any content that could be interpreted unfavorably. Be mindful of old posts that could resurface.

4.  Inform Friends and Family : Ask those close to you to refrain from tagging you in posts or mentioning your situation online.

 Conclusion

Social media can significantly impact the outcome of your personal injury claim. By managing your online presence carefully and consulting with a personal injury lawyer, you can protect your interests and avoid common pitfalls. If you need expert legal advice, contact the experienced personal injury lawyers at Deutschmann Law: Rob Deutschmann, Nick de Koning, and Alexander David. They can guide you through the complexities of your case and help you achieve the best possible outcome.

About Deutschmann Law

Deutschmann Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.deutschmannlaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.

It is important that you review your accident benefit file with one of our experienced personal injury / car accident lawyers to ensure that you obtain access to all your benefits which include, but are limited to, things like physiotherapy, income replacement benefits, vocational retraining and home modifications.