When you’ve been injured in a car accident in New York, your insurance policy becomes your gateway to immediate financial relief. However, what many people don’t realize is that insurance companies will look to try and reduce your payout, and something as simple as a social media post can have a serious impact on your case. At Gabriel Law, we have helped many New Yorkers as their car accident lawyer in Manhattan. In this post, we want to explain how insurance companies can use social media posts to hurt your claim and how you can protect your rights and get the compensation you deserve.
Do insurance companies really check your social media?
Yes, insurance companies really do go through your social media. Don’t forget that at the end of the day, an insurance company is a business that wants to make money. When a policyholder files a claim for compensation, an insurance adjuster is tasked with determining the validity of the claim but also looking at ways to reduce their financial responsibility. Your social media point gives an adjuster a helpful look into your life and personality without having to ask you any questions.
When it comes to social media, the adjusters can go through your posts, comments made, location check-ins, places you’ve tagged, and posts your friends have included of you. They don’t need the full story. They just need anything that they can use to dispute your side of the story.
How can social media posts be used against you?
As we’ve mentioned above, an insurance adjuster can look for social media posts to help reduce the compensation you deserve. Here’s how they can use your social media posts against you:
- Discrediting injuries—If you’ve posted photos/videos of physical activity after the accident (e.g., shopping, dancing, hiking, etc.), it can be used to argue that your injuries are not as severe as you claimed them to be.
- Contradicting statements – If you’ve posted content that suggests you’re feeling “better” or engaging in daily activities without too much trouble, then it can be used to contradict sworn statements and medical documents.
- Tracking your location—Posting from various locations (e.g., restaurants, gyms, events) can prove that you’re mobile and active, undermining claims of accidents affecting mobility.
- Character witness – If you’ve posted hateful, angry, or reckless comments about the accident or anything related to the accident, then the posts can be used to hurt your credibility in court.
- Third-party tags—When friends have tagged you in their posts, it can also reveal information about your activity and condition.
- Accident details—If you’ve posted about or discussed the accident, it can be used to prove liability or lack thereof.
What should you avoid posting after an accident?
After an NYC car accident, you must avoid posting the following contents on social media until your case is fully settled.
- Photographs and videos of physical activity—Anything showing you are engaging in physical activity, such as walking and going to the gym, can be used to argue that your injuries are not as severe as you claim them to be.
- Admitting fault or apologizing for the accident—Do not post anything akin to an apology. It can be used to infer fault and reduce compensation.
- Medical updates – Medical information is personal and confidential. Do not share it with the world at large.
- Venting about the case – Do not post about yourself complaining about the insurance companies and the legal process.
- Socializing and travel—Check-ins at restaurants, bars, or vacations can be used to twist the narrative and show you are not suffering.
How can an accident lawyer in New York help?
When you want to deal with the aftermath of a car accident and want to make sure you receive the best possible settlement, you need help from a car accident lawyer in Queens. This help is instrumental because your lawyer will:
- Look at the facts and explain your legal options.
- Set your expectations on compensation.
- Collect evidence and build a strong and compelling case.
- Determine a value for the damages suffered and take steps to maximize the compensation.
- Handle all the documentation and make timely submissions before deadlines.
- Negotiate with insurance companies to achieve a fair settlement.
- Represent you in court and fight for your case.
Conclusion
While a social media post about your health and well-being after an accident may seem harmless and a good way to relieve stress, it can have major consequences on your compensation. Even a simple post of you walking about can see its narrative twisted and be used to justify lower settlements. That being the case, the general rule is to take a step back from social media after an accident.
Don’t let social media posts impact your compensation. If you’re injured in an NYC car accident and need help protecting your rights and getting the compensation you deserve, contact Gabriel Law today and schedule your free consultation. We will do everything we can to help you see the light at the end of the tunnel.
