An estimated 2.9 billion people are active on Facebook all over the world. Even those who don’t want to create an account can still check out users with public profiles. Facebook and other social media apps are a great way to stay connected to your family and friends, but they may have an unexpected consequence that many don’t realize until it’s too late.
How Lawyers May Use Facebook Against You
You can almost guarantee that the other legal team in a personal injury case is searching the internet for any proof against your claims. Lawyers may use this information to try to demonstrate that your injuries aren’t as bad as you claim. They may even try to prove that the accident hasn’t affected your life the way you claim.
Even if you don’t specifically discuss the case on Facebook, lawyers may still use your other personal information against you. For example, they may copy photos of you hiking or working out following the accident. They may try to time match other activities you were doing when you stated that you couldn’t work due to the accident. Some may even take simple statements you make on Facebook to claim that you’re not in a difficult emotional state.
While social media doesn’t always show the full picture, this doesn’t mean that the opposing legal team won’t use what they find against you. It’s best to avoid Facebook altogether when in the middle of a legal case. Even if you choose to delete these posts later, many of them are still recoverable. In fact, in the case of deleting photos, the opposing legal team may try to draw the conclusion that you’re lying, or otherwise, you wouldn’t have deleted the photos.
Social Media Tips During a Pending Case
Here are a few social media tips to follow during a pending personal injury case:
- Avoid posting: It’s best to just not post during a legal case. This prevents the other legal team from trying to misinterpret your posts.
- Put your profile on private: Putting your profile on private prevents other people from looking back through your online profile.
- Avoid friending anyone you don’t know: Once set to private, don’t accept requests from anyone that you don’t know.
- Untag yourself from photos: Facebook also allows other people to tag you in photographs without your permission. The good thing is you have the option to untag yourself from these photos.
It’s also a good idea to be vigilant of any phishing scams during this time. Never give your personal information via email, text, or phone. When in doubt about what to say, avoid posting at all. You never know how the other legal team may use your words against you. Any information they find on the internet is public and can be used in court.
If you’re worried about things you have already shared on your Facebook account, be sure to discuss them with your lawyer. The earlier that your lawyer knows about the potentially damaging posts, the better prepared they can be to manage them.
Contact a Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Accident and Injury Case in Florida
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to an accident in Florida? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Lawlor, White & Murphey represent clients injured because of a personal injury in Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Pembroke Pines, Weston, and throughout Florida. Call us today at 954-525-2345 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation. We have an office conveniently located at 2211 Davie Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312, as well as offices in Pembroke Pines, Weston, Coconut Creek, Plantation and Pompano Beach, FL.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.