Social media is a part of almost everyone’s life. Whether you use it or not, you’re probably familiar with how things work and for some people, it’s a big deal.
When a life-changing event happens such as an accident or injury, it can be really tempting to spread the news to people you know on your social media accounts. It’s an easy way of letting everyone know what happened and, most importantly, that you’re okay.
Did you know that there are risks that come with sharing your account of the accident online? In the worst-case scenario, it can destroy your insurance claim for reasons you may not have considered.
Insurance companies may look at your accounts
As part of their investigation, insurance companies can access your social media accounts, even if you have your visibility set as “private”. They may choose to do this where liability is in dispute or they are questioning the severity of your injuries. This process is what’s known as “discovery”.
Anything you document on your account can then be used against you as part of subsequent proceedings. For example, if you give an account of what happened, you can be questioned about this in court.
You also risk having the legitimacy of your injuries called into question. While you may be genuinely suffering from pain since your accident, posting pictures of yourself doing strenuous or energetic activities can all be used by insurance companies as a reason not to pay out on your claim.
It is best to keep everything about your accident off social media, no matter how innocent or unimportant you think it might be.
Working with insurance companies can be difficult and they are notorious for not wanting to pay out claims. Having experienced legal guidance can help to make sure you get the compensation you deserve.