Social media websites such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram have become gathering spots for many of Detroit’s bikers. Riders flock to community pages to show off their new steeds, recommend routes, and vent about the city’s abundance of distracted, speeding, and drunk motorists.
If you were injured in a motorcycle wreck, these sites may be one of your first stops after the accident. Not only can your circles provide guidance and emotional support during these difficult times, but posting about the accident may also help you process this traumatic event. However, if you’re planning to file a personal injury claim, you need to steer clear of the digital space.
Anything you post online could be used as evidence to dispute aspects of your case. As such, we recommend that you deactivate your profiles for the duration of proceedings. However, if this isn’t possible in your situation, here are a few tips for using social media while your claim is pending:
1. Update Your Privacy Settings
If your social media profiles are public, it’s relatively easy for the insurer and other opposing parties to keep tabs on your online activity. Your posts, comments, reviews, and “check ins” are most likely available for the world to see—giving others access to a treasure trove of information that could be used to dispute your claim.
Fortunately, you can ramp up your privacy settings to limit those who can view and interact with your posts to only approved friends and followers. While there are still ways for the claims adjuster to circumvent these settings—for instance, he or she could begin monitoring your friends’ and family’s profiles—this added layer of protection could help mitigate potential challenges while your claim is pending.
2. Do Not Post about the Wreck
A motorcycle accident is almost always a harrowing experience. As such, it’s only natural if you want to jump onto social media and share the grisly details of this traumatic event with those closest to you. However, before you hit “publish”, you need to consider the consequences of publicizing this firsthand account.
It’s all too easy for your comments to be taken out of context or misrepresented to challenge your credibility. For example, you may accidentally admit fault for causing the wreck. Until your case has concluded, you should not discuss the accident, the claim, your injuries, recovery, social activities, or expenses on social media.
3. Abstain from Posting Images
A picture is worth a thousand words, but while your claim is pending, it could also cost you thousands of dollars. Many claimants aren’t aware that their social media snapshots could hurt their ability to recover compensation for an injury as part of a third-party claim. For instance, a picture of you at a party just a few days after the motorcycle wreck could be used to argue that your injuries are not as serious as you are claiming.
Alternatively, images of you engaging in physical activity in the aftermath of the crash could be used as evidence to show that you ignored your doctor’s orders to rest. Not only should you avoid posting pictures online, but you should also ask friends and family not to tag you in their own photographs.
4. Screen New Friend Requests
If you’ve updated your privacy settings, opposing parties may attempt to send you connection requests to gain access to your social media page. As such, you need to be careful about which requests you approve as accepting an invite from someone you don’t recognize could give an opposing party free rein to comb through your posts.
Discuss Your Case with a Detroit Motorcycle Accident Attorney
If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident through no fault of your own, it might be in your best interests to speak to a personal injury attorney. At the Seva Law Firm, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll a serious injury can take on both the victim and their family. As such, we’re committed to helping the injured recover fair compensation for the damages they’ve incurred. Dial (248) 385-5704 or make use of our Online Contact Page to request a free case assessment with a Detroit motorcycle accident attorney.
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