Yes. Insurance companies and defense attorneys routinely review publicly available social media content when evaluating injury claims in St. Louis, and what they find can be used against you. Posts, photos, videos, comments, and check-ins can all be used to challenge how badly you were injured, how the injury affects your daily life, whether you’re following your doctor’s restrictions, and whether your version of events has stayed consistent.
What Types of Posts Can Create Problems?
The riskiest content is anything suggesting physical capability or an active lifestyle. That includes photos showing physical activity, vacation and travel posts, gym or sports content, and posts about going out with friends. Casual comments can hurt too. Something as simple as saying “I’m fine” to someone asking how you are could hurt your case. Check-ins at events, posts discussing the accident itself, and complaints about the insurance company or your lawsuit all have the potential to create problems.
Can Old Posts Hurt Your Claim?
Potentially, yes. Older posts can be used to compare your condition before and after the accident, which has the potential to be helpful or hurtful. Posts about earlier accidents, complaints of pain, or prior can become relevant to disputes over pre-existing conditions, such as chronic illnesses, injuries, surgeries, and diagnoses.
Should You Delete Social Media Posts After an Accident?
Not without talking to your St. Louis accident attorney first. Once a claim or lawsuit is pending, deleting posts can create serious evidence preservation problems, and courts do not look favorably on individuals getting rid of evidence. What seems like cleaning up your profile can be characterized as hiding relevant material, which damages your credibility far more than the original post would have. A St. Louis injury lawyer can advise you on what needs to be preserved and how to handle your accounts going forward. The safest move is to stop posting and get advice before touching anything that already exists.
Should You Make Your Accounts Private?
Adjusting your privacy settings is reasonable and reduces what strangers can easily see. However, privacy settings do not guarantee content stays hidden. Your existing followers can still screenshot and share anything you post, and relevant social media material can sometimes be requested through the formal discovery process regardless of your settings. Private accounts can certainly reduce your exposure, but it won’t necessarily keep you fully protected, so you should still watch what you post.
Can Insurance Adjusters Send Friend or Follow Requests?
Be cautious about any request from someone you don’t recognize while your claim is pending. Investigators sometimes use accounts that don’t identify who they really are, and a new follower you accept gets access to everything your privacy settings would otherwise block. Don’t assume every request is harmless just because the profile looks ordinary. The safest practice is declining unknown requests entirely until your case is resolved. If you get a request from someone that seems suspicious, tell your attorney about it as well.
Can Private Messages Be Used in an Injury Case?
Potentially, yes. Direct messages can become relevant if they discuss the accident, your injuries, your physical abilities, your work situation, or prior medical problems. Don’t assume private messages are automatically protected from discovery. If a message is relevant to the issues in your case, it may be discoverable.
What Should You Do With Social Media After an Accident? Contact a Lawyer
The safest approach is to stop posting, tighten your privacy settings, decline unknown requests, and preserve everything that already exists until you’ve gotten legal advice. A personal injury lawyer can tell you exactly how to handle your accounts, what needs to be preserved, and how to avoid the mistakes. If you’ve been injured in an accident, contact a personal injury lawyer from our firm today to schedule a free consultation.