Blog

Why Posting on Facebook Can Ruin Your PA Accident Claim

Why Posting on Facebook Can Ruin Your PA Accident Claim

Warning! Your Tweets (or Facebook) Could Cost You Your PA Accident Claim

Learn How Insurance Companies Use Social Media Posts to Deny Compensation
16313238-facebookYou were injured in a Pennsylvania car accident, and you have gone to the emergency room. While you wait to be seen, you take out your smart phone to check your email and Facebook.  You decide to let your friends and family know that you have been in an accident, but they shouldn’t worry. Good idea? Maybe not.

“We were in a car accident on I-76, but we’re fine.”  This may seem like a simple status update, but to an insurance adjuster your post is a gold mine.  “We’re fine” was meant to reassure your friends that despite your neck injury, bruised body, and cracked rib, you are happy to be alive. But, an insurance adjuster can use your post as “proof” that you weren’t injured or to question your credibility.

This doesn’t mean that you can’t use social media until you’ve recovered. But, it does mean that you should use social media with care. Before using Facebook, check your privacy settings. Make sure that only friends can see your posts.

Be careful with social media until after you receive your settlement. It is ok to say, I was in an accident. But, avoid giving details about the crash and your injury. If a friend wants more information, ask them to call you. Don’t post pictures of activities that were taken before your accident. It may look like the injury has had little effect on your life. Avoid any pictures or posts that could be seen in a negative way. Posing with a beer bottle could undermine your credibility or convince a jury that you can’t be trusted. If you have previously posted such pictures, remove them from your timeline.

How to Change Your Facebook Privacy Settings After a Pennsylvania Car Wreck

  • Click on the triangle icon on the top far right side of your page.
  • Scroll down to “Settings” and click.
  • Choose “Privacy” in the left sidebar
  • Click “Who can see your future posts” and choose “Friends”. This will keep others from seeing anything that you post.

Remember, privacy on the internet is not guaranteed. Anything you post online can be used against you.

The insurance company will use any trick in the book to fight your claim and avoid paying you a fair settlement. Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers will fight back. If you have been injured in a Pennsylvania car crash, we are on your side.