It seems like social media has become woven into the fabric of everything we do each day. We share photos, communicate with loved ones, and “check-in” to places. However, what many people do not realize is that their social media use could inadvertently hurt their personal injury case. Here, The Philadelphia personal injury attorneys at the Ciccarelli Law Offices want to discuss this topic.
Social Media Posts Are Admissible
While it may not seem fair, your personal social media posts can be used against you in court. You can be sure that a defendant’s legal team will be doing everything they can to destroy your case, including digging into your social media posts as well any posts made by your family members or friends that could include photos or statements about you. Even if you have great social media privacy settings, please understand that there are ways around this.
You May Contradict Your Own Testimony
The aftermath of an injury-causing incident can be complicated, and you will be giving many statements about what happened. However, it is vital that all of your statements remain consistent and that they do not contradict one another. If you claim that you have sustained a serious neck or back injury, but make social media posts about going golfing every other day, you are essentially contradicting statements you have made about your injuries.
How Check-ins Can Affect You
You can check-in to various locations or mark your location on posts to Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and more. However, doing so may show that you are participating in activities despite your claim of being injured. For example, if you are making a claim that you have limited mobility due to your injuries, it would not be a good idea to check in at your gym every day.
You May Show What You Are Able to Do
Similar to check-ins, posts on social media could inadvertently show the defendant’s legal team what you are physically capable of doing after sustaining your injury. If you post a photo of your children riding bikes on a rigorous bike trail, the other side may ask if you took the photo. If you did, the other side has proof that you were participating in strenuous activity, which they will use to call into question the extent of your injuries.
Comments & Interaction With Family
Even comments and interactions with friends and family on social media could be used against you because they may contradict your claims about the extent of your injuries. If someone you know makes a comment about how much money you want to get paid for your damages, these comments could be used to paint you in a negative light.
How Can Ciccarelli Offices Help?
If you or somebody you love has sustained an injury that was caused by another person’s negligence, seek legal assistance today. At the Ciccarelli Law Offices, we are going to conduct a thorough investigation into what happened in order to secure any compensation you are entitled to. This could include:
- Any medical bills related to the incident
- Lost income and benefits
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of personal enjoyment damages
- Possible punitive damages against the at-fault party
When you need an injury attorney, you can call us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or calling (215) 228-0100.