Can a Facebook Post Ruin My Insurance Claim? Omaha Accident Attorney Investigates
Thanks to social media, it has never been easier to access personal information about complete strangers. Social networking may help you stay up-to-date with old friends, but if you are in the middle of an injury claim, then posting to these sites can be risky, according to Digital Trends.
A quick Google search will provide plenty of information about you, including links to your Google +, Facebook, Twitter and other profiles. According to the American Bar Association, social media posts and photographs are admissible evidence in court. You better bet that insurance companies are privy to this fact, and they know how to use information on these pages to devalue injury claims or deny them altogether.
The best way to avoid mistakes during an injury claim is to retain a personal-injury lawyer. If you were the victim of a negligent driver in Nebraska, then contact Rensch & Rensch Law.
An Omaha accident attorney from our firm can guide you through the claims process and protect your financial interests. Call 1-800-471-4100 to schedule a consultation. You can also visit http://accident.usattorneys.com/ to learn more about injury claims.
Read on to learn six ways to avoid a social media snafu that ruins your insurance claim:
- Adjust Your Privacy Settings
It is imperative that you choose the highest level of privacy for all of your online accounts. Make your profiles “private.” Do not allow others to post updates to your Facebook wall without your approval. Finally, log out of your profiles and use Google to search for your name. Make sure the profile views that you see contain as little personal information as possible. Alternatively, you can disable your profiles until you have reached a settlement or verdict.
- Do Not Mention Your Case
Do not mention your accident, injuries or case on social media. You may be tempted to keep friends and family up to date on your recovery, but this can be especially detrimental to your claim. The insurance company may use that information to deny the extent of your injuries.
- Avoid Discussing Physical Activities
If you post photos or updates about exercising, playing sports or other physical activities, then the insurance company may devalue your claim. Do not post about any of your activities – even if they do not seem that physical.
- Remove Personal Photographs
Delete all videos and photographs of yourself since the accident. Until your claim is finalized, it is best that you refrain from posting altogether.
- Ignore Strange Friend Requests
Do not accept friend requests if you do not recognize the person. The account may belong to an insurance adjuster who wants access to your personal information. Alternatively, it may belong to the defense or to his or her personal-injury lawyer.
- Review Your Friends
People collect friends online at a rapid pace. A simple check of any one of your “friend” lists will likely reveal several strangers. Remove these people from your profile.
Injury claims are legally complex, and a seemingly small oversight could cost you tens of thousands of dollars. You must be careful when using social media after an accident injury. There is a multitude of other ways to ruin your claim, and the best source of guidance in this matter is an accident attorney.
If you were the victim of another person’s negligence in Nebraska, then contact Rensch & Rensch Law. Call 1-800-471-4100 to schedule a consultation.
