After a car accident, many people feel they need to share their experience, whether to shame the other driver, post proof that they are alive, or try to work through many emotions they may have in a public setting. While posting on social media about an accident may feel good in the heat of the moment, it can be incredibly damaging to your case in the long term.

What Photos Can Do

When you post pictures of your accident online, they become free to use in any subsequent court case. Opposing counsel, whether for the insurance company or the person who caused the accident, can find and use your pictures to downplay or even dismiss your claims entirely. Even if you aren’t going to court, your insurance company could use your photos to show the damage was not as bad as you claim and reduce or even eliminate any insurance payout you may have had from the accident.

Text is Equally Damaging

If you don’t post images but write about the damage to your vehicle or injuries you sustained, you may also suffer consequences. Many injuries from car accidents can have delayed effects, such as a traumatic brain injury not revealing the full extent of the damage until weeks or even months after the accident. Posts such as “I feel fine” or “It wasn’t as bad as I thought” can be used by your insurance company to deny coverage and by opposing counsel during any suit that may arise from the accident. Lawyers can subpoena even private messages during a civil case, so be sure not to send personal messages about your accident.

Do You Need Help With Your Car Accident Case?

The team of experienced personal injury attorneys at Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC can help you understand your legal options after a motor vehicle accident and how to proceed if you’ve posted about your car accident on social media. Call us at (888) 425-6070 or reach out through our website today for a free consultation.